Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which local transport authorities have introduced lane rental schemes; how much mileage is covered by each scheme; what the average reduction in roadworks has been in the areas that have implemented those schemes; and how much money has been raised in fines from utility companies for overrunning works in those areas in each year since the inception of lane rental schemes.

The Government recently published a plan for drivers which included support for further Lane Rental schemes, which reduce roadworks by incentivising utilities to avoid the busiest roads at the busiest times helping to reduce congestion caused by road works. The Department will be consulting on requiring local authorities with Lane Rental schemes to use at least 50% of any surplus on pothole repairs or resurfacing poor quality roads.

There are currently four schemes in operation which publish annual monitoring and evaluations of their own schemes, and which include information relating to the impact of lane rental on works carried out by utility companies. These can be found on Transport for London’s and Kent County Council’s websites. Surrey and West Sussex County Councils are yet to publish their evaluations due to the recent implementation. As scheme coverage can vary year on year, these authorities will be best placed to advise on current mileage.

Ongoing discussions are now taking place with other local authorities, and I would encourage all Members of Parliament to press their own Local Authorities to implement lane rental schemes.

The Department commissioned an independent evaluation of lane rental pilot schemes, which was published in 2016. The evaluation estimated that Lane Rental led to 3000 fewer days of congestion on the highways network.

We do not collect nor hold information on fines relating to overrunning works carried out by utility companies. This is held by highway authorities.