Work on Durham’s busiest roads could cost up to £2,500 a day from 19 October. The county council launches a lane rental scheme to charge for road occupation during times when disruption is greatest.
Durham County Council’s Lane Rental Scheme covers about 6.7% of its road network, targeting routes where roadworks would cause the most congestion. It applies during specified peak periods on traffic-sensitive roads.
Charging by day, depending on disruption
The scheme charges the organisation carrying out the works, known as the promoter, for each day their works occupy a lane on covered roads during charged times. The daily fee reflects the level of disruption, up to £2,500 a day.
The council developed the scheme after analysing traffic patterns and congestion hotspots from its Traffic Sensitive Streets network. It will review the list of covered roads annually based on traffic flows and congestion data. An online map shows the charges by location and time.
Applies to all planned road and street works
The lane rental charge covers all planned roadworks and street works under the council’s permit scheme. It also applies to works under Section 50 licences, allowing installation of apparatus in the highway, plus developer-funded works under Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980.
The council expects promoters to avoid charges by scheduling works outside peak periods, shortening works, or using less disruptive methods.
Funding maintenance and improvements
Cllr Tim McGuinness, Cabinet member for rural, farming and transport, says the scheme will help keep roads open during busiest times while allowing essential works. At least 50% of any profits will go to road maintenance. The remainder will fund traffic improvement projects and new technology for network management.
Durham is the first county authority outside London and first in the North East to introduce lane rental charges. It joins a group of councils including Leeds, Wakefield and Kirklees, which also levy fees on peak-time roadworks.
Encouraging off-peak, shorter works
The council expects the charges to encourage works promoters to plan outside peak travel times and complete projects more quickly. This should reduce delays on key routes for residents, freight, public transport and visitors.
The test will be in the months ahead to see if more works move to nights, weekends or shorter periods on Durham’s traffic-sensitive streets.
