Government promises on roadworks to ease congestion

London, UK: A government crackdown on disruptive roadworks, designed to speed up journeys, is “positive” as congestion is a major cause of delays for the] industry, says Logistics UK. The comments came as roads minister Guy Opperman launched a street works consultation on a series of measures to prevent utility companies from letting roadworks overrun and clogging up traffic as a result.

The consultation seeks to extend the current £10,000 per day fine for overrunning street works into weekends and bank holidays as a deterrent for working on the busiest days for road travel. Currently, utility companies are only fined for disruption on working days. The measures could double fines from £500 up to a maximum of £1,000 for companies that breach conditions of the job, such as working without a permit.

The plans would also direct at least half of money from lane rental schemes to improve roads and repair potholes. Lane rental schemes allow local highway authorities to charge companies for the time that street and road works occupy the road. The moves could cut congestion for millions of drivers and generate up to £100m extra to resurface roads, Opperman said. The consultation is part of a series of measures from the government’s 30-point Plan for Drivers.

Jonathan Walker, head of cities and infrastructure policy, Logistics UK, said: “Congestion is a major cause of delays for the logistics industry, which ultimately leads to disruption and costs for businesses and consumers. Any measures that result in more efficient roadworks and fewer road closures are therefore positive and must be part of wider measures that improve the condition and reliability of the road network as a whole.”

Mark Harper, transport secretary, said: “Our new proposals seek to free up our roads from overrunning street works, cut down traffic jams and generate up to £100 million extra to resurface roads up and down the country.”