Long traffic jams caused by roadworks could be a thing of the past as a scheme which has already "significantly reduced" delays in Kent and London is rolled out nationwide.
Charges for utility companies digging up roads could be rolled out in Surrey and across England to reduce congestion, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced on Friday (February 16).
Lane rental schemes involving daily fees of up to £2,500 for roadworks on the busiest streets at peak times can be adopted by councils nationwide after trials in the south east.
DfT says it will incentivise firms to work on quieter roads or outside of rush hour, or even to collaborate with other companies to stop roads being dug up multiple times, to reduce the impact of roadworks on drivers.
The pilot schemes in the south east of England led to "significantly reduced" traffic delays, according to the DfT.
In London, utility companies have worked together more than 600 times since lane rental was introduced in 2015, up from just 100 beforehand.
Around 2.5 million roadworks are carried out each year, costing the economy £4 billion, government figures show.
Transport minister Jo Johnson said: "Drivers often see red when roadworks cause them delays, especially if no one is working on them.
"Lane rental has seen a massive drop in disruption to drivers as utility companies have changed when and where they carry out work.
"Now we want millions of motorists around England to get the same benefits."
The news was welcomed by RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes. He said: "This is a very welcome announcement.
"Trials showed that some of the worst congestion caused by planned utility works in London was reduced by half on roads where lane rental was in operation, so rolling this out will extend the benefits nationwide.
"While motorists accept that some roadworks and congestion are unavoidable, lengthy and unnecessary queues are incredibly frustrating."
Local Government Association transport spokeswoman Judith Blake said: "The lane rental scheme offers a clear incentive for utility companies and their contractors to minimise the time they spend in occupation of the road."
