Roadworks could cost utilities more by next spring

A Sussex council says it is looking to charge utility companies to carry out roadworks during peak hours, in a bid to reduce disruption.

Brighton & Hove City Council wants to join neighbouring local authorities by implementing a lane rental scheme which would enable companies undertaking roadworks to be charged up to £2,500 a day.

According to the council, roadworks in Brighton and Hove currently take about 20 days to complete, compared to two to five days in areas with lane rental schemes.

Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, told the council's cabinet on Thursday that "a start as early as spring 2027" was subject to secretary of state approval.

The authority says it receives around 20,000 permit applications each year from various companies seeking to work on the city's roads.

Currently, utility companies can be charged a maximum of £120 a day for breaching relevant permit conditions.

Muten says he is keen to financially incentivise swift completion of roadworks, and help restore the "time communities lose to avoidable disruptions".

Should the council's request be approved, the authority would be in line with both East and West Sussex county councils, where lane rental schemes are in operation.

According to East Sussex County Council the lane rental scheme has contributed to "an estimated 277 days of congestion being avoided" and saved £2.6 million since its introduction in April last year.

West Sussex County Council, which has had a similar scheme since December 2022, has awarded the money saved to projects including the South Downs National Park Authority's Centurion Way extension.

Reflecting on the success seen elsewhere, Brighton & Hove's leader Bella Sankey said she "could not be more excited about this scheme".

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