Councils given power to ease roadworks misery
Councils given power to ease roadworks misery
There is good news for drivers fed up of getting stuck in traffic jams, as local councils are to be given more powers to control roadworks.
Transport Minister Norman Baker has confirmed that local authorities will be allowed to charge utility companies up to £2,500 per day in "lane rental" when they dig up the busiest roads.
Mr Baker believes this will encourage utility companies to work more quickly and reduce the amount of disruption caused.
Alternatively, companies can avoid having to pay the fee by doing their work at off-peak times, or at night.
Mr Baker said that it is "incredibly frustrating" for road users to have to endure roadworks during rush hour - worse still when no one appears to be working.
"This disruption is not only inconvenient but very expensive, with roadworks-related congestion costing the economy an estimated £4 billion a year, which is why we are taking firm action," he said.