Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 8 September (HL2927), what plans they have to raise the proportion of permit applications which involve collaborative working.

The Government is encouraging greater collaborative working between highway authorities and utility companies through the expansion of lane rental schemes. Eighteen months ago, there were five lane rental schemes in operation. There are now 26 approved schemes, including 14 enabled by legislation that came into force in September 2026. Lane rental schemes provide a strong financial incentive for promoters to coordinate activities and undertake collaborative working, helping them to reduce or avoid charges and minimise disruption to road users.