Council could charge firms for roadworks disruption

Companies and contractors could be charged up to £2,500 per day

Leeds City Council is proposing to charge companies and contractors thousands of pounds for causing disruption on its busiest roads.

The authority wants to introduce a Leeds Lane Rental Scheme on about 10% of its highway network to help reduce the impact of road works.

Under the plans, companies and contractors could be charged up to £2,500 per day if works are undertaken during the busiest times.

The council's deputy leader Jonathan Pryor said the added powers would "incentivise works to complete quickly and efficiently, to cause less disruption on our network".

The revenue generated would be reinvested back into road maintenance and highway improvement, added Pryor, who is also the council's executive member for economy, transport, and sustainable development.

A council spokesperson said they received about 40,000 roadwork applications each year, covering about 1,827 miles (2,940km) of roads.

"This scheme encourages those working on the roads to better plan their works to take place during less busy times, to look for ways to collaborate, and complete works more quickly," said Pryor.

A council spokesperson they expected the disincentive would encourage "behavioural change" among firms, with up to 90% of projects avoiding charges.

The spokesperson said 85% of the potentially chargeable works were carried out by utility companies.

The council itself could be liable to pay the charge if its works were unable to avoid "traffic sensitive times", the spokesperson added.

The proposals have been sent to the Department for Transport for consideration.

If approved, it could be up and running by spring 2026.

Wakefield and Kirklees Council have also unveiled plans for similar schemes.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.