New scheme to reduce congestion on Surrey roads gets go ahead
It could see more closures for roadworks in off peak times
From April more of Surrey's busiest roads could be closed for roadworks during off peak hours as part of measures to reduce congestion.
Surrey County Council has given the go ahead for its new Lane Rental scheme to start then.
The scheme gives utility companies and highways teams needing to close roads to carry out works a financial incentive to do so during off peak hours or deliver the works in different ways to lessen the impact on traffic.
It will see utility companies and the council's highways teams charged for works which cause delay at peak times on busiest routes - which make up 7.5% of Surrey's road network.
Revenue from charges will fund the scheme’s operational costs and any surplus funds will be re-invested in initiatives to reduce disruption from roadworks further, such as innovative engineering solutions trials and new materials to reinstate the highway quicker.
Surrey is the first local authority to adopt the scheme following successful pioneer schemes in London and Kent which led to new government guidance encouraging uptake in 2018.
Transport Minister Baroness Vere said: "We know that roadworks can cause major congestion, particularly at peak times. This scheme from Surrey County Council will incentivise companies to move roadworks outside peak hours, helping everyone to get on with their journeys."
Matt Furniss, Cabinet Member for Transport at SCC, said: "I’m delighted that this new scheme will go-ahead. We’re always looking at ways to reduce congestion on our road network and to keep Surrey moving.
"It is vital that organisations including our own, have access to Surrey’s roads to both maintain them and to deliver vital improvements. We want this to continue but at quieter times of the day when disruption for residents can be minimised, or by using different delivery methods to limit the impact of the works at busy times."
Approval was granted by the Secretary of State for Transport in December 2020. Notification has been given to utility companies who were consulted in Summer 2020.