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Durham County Council manages over 4,000 kilometres of highway for more than 530,000 residents and businesses. To cut disruption from roadworks during peak hours, Durham hope to introduce a Lane Rental Scheme (LRS).
The scheme allows charges of up to £2,500 per day for works on the busiest roads at peak times, encouraging off-peak scheduling and joint working.
“The Lane Rental Scheme gives us new powers to ensure roadworks are delivered more quickly and efficiently. That means fewer delays, reduced disruption, and better journeys for everyone,” said Cllr Tim McGuinness, Cabinet member for Rural, Farming and Transport.
Following consultation, the proposed network covers 163 miles of high-impact routes. Analysis predicts a 70% reduction in peak-hour works within the first year, shifting thousands of days to quieter periods.
Luke Meaton, Streetworks Operations & Regulatory Manager at Openreach, commented: “This collaborative approach gives us confidence that the scheme will work effectively for all stakeholders.”
GeoPlace supported Durham with data-driven insights and compliance tools through the process and submitted the Statutory Instrument to the Department for Transport, paving the way for smarter road management in Durham.
