Inefficient firms which clog up Hammersmith and Fulham's streets with over-running roadworks could soon be forced rent lanes in a bid to make them improve.
The council has joined forces with Boris Johnson and written to the government urging it to speed up the introduction of the scheme.
H&F has some of the most congested roads in London, with Richmond Way in Shepherd's Bush rated officially the most dug-up anywhere in the capital, with 22 different sets of road-works undertaken there in the past two years.
The council believes there is not enough incentive for firms such as Thames Water to complete the work quickly, despite the fact the company, along with EDF Energy and the National Grid, having coughed up nearly £700,000 in fines over the past three years due to inefficiency.
Councillor Nick Botterill, cabinet member for environment, said: "We need to hit the utility companies where it hurts - in the pocket. Residents and motorists have enough road works to put up with without them being delayed due to poor planning or botched jobs.
"We have all experienced the huge inconvenience of being stuck in traffic and passing road-works where nothing seems to be going on. This needs to stop and we are backing the Mayor of London's sensible suggestions."
A consultation on proposals for the new lane rental system was supposed to begin in July, but no firm date has been set by the Government and it is thought this could delay approval of regulations until the end of next year, just months before the world will descend on London for the Olympics.
Mayor Johnson said: "It is now imperative the government pulls out all the stops and tells Londoners when we will finally be able to bring in a system that works in their favour, rather than in the advantage of the umpteen utilities that disrupt their journeys with a barrage of cones.
"I am convinced the only way to sort out road-works in London will be to excavate the pockets of the excavators. If the meter starts ticking when the drill starts digging we will soon see these companies devise more prudent methods of working."
* A poll asking Londoners whether they back the Mayor’s call for lane rental legislation is available at www.london.gov.uk
