Companies could be charged for peak time roadworks under new scheme

There is rare political consensus that the scheme would limit disruption caused by roadworks - but confusion over who exactly should be introducing it

Hello and welcome to The Lancashire Lead.

Lane rental schemes are one of the few topics that Labour, Conservatives and Reform UK can agree on. They encourage companies to carry out roadworks at times that suit the commuter - and if they don’t, then they add some revenue to County Hall coffers.

The success of the schemes currently in operation - which began with Transport for London and Kent County Council in 2012 - means the Labour government on a national level is keen to see more of them.

With Lancashire being mayorless - and unlikely to agree on the topic of a mayor in the current century - the county as a whole would still need government approval to do it. That doesn’t appear to be much of a stumbling block - but what could be is general confusion over who manages the process. Is it Lancashire County Council, or Lancashire Combined County Authority? That’s one thing there is not yet a consensus on.

The scheme will happen - and it will likely be a good thing - so expect much jostling over which party can take credit for it in the near future. Boris Johnson was Mayor of London in 2012, proving that a broken clock can indeed be right twice a day.

Lancashire briefing

✈️ The Prime Minister told BAE Systems workers in Lancashire that they had “beaten the world” – and secured employment for themselves for the next decade – by enabling the UK to strike a deal to supply Turkey with Typhoon fighter jets. Sir Keir Starmer visited the company’s Warton plant in Fylde on Tuesday less than 24 hours after travelling to Turkey to sign an agreement that will see the country purchase 20 of the UK aircraft. The Typhoons are produced and undergo their final assembly both at Warton and the BAE site at Samlesbury near Preston.

🌬️ Plans to convert Preston’s only surviving windmill into bedsits have been redesigned after “significant structural issues” were uncovered at the 260-year-old site. A blueprint to turn the historic structure, on Cragg’s Row in Plungington, into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) was approved back in January 2024. Preston City Council planners gave the go-ahead to the creation of 10 bedrooms across seven floors of the Grade II-listed landmark, which was last used as a windmill in the late 19th century, when its sails were removed. Communal kitchens and living and dining rooms were to be installed in an adjoining two-storey annexe. However, a fresh application to the local authority now seeks permission to develop a 12-bedroom HMO, demolishing the annexe – or outrigger – in the process and replacing it with a three-floor extension.

🅿️ A plan to build new affordable homes on a Lancaster city centre car park has been approved despite concerns about its impact on traffic, businesses and tourism, and one councillor feeling proposed apartment blocks look like buildings from the former East Germany. Lancaster City Council’s planning committee has unanimously backed an application by South Lakes Housing for the development at Lancaster’s current Nelson Street Car Park. The plan had prompted 177 objections but is seen as a vital early phase of the wider Canal Quarter’s regeneration, supported by Lancaster City Council. The South Lakes Housing proposal is for a mix of affordable homes to rent and buy in apartment blocks and a small terrace of townhouses.

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Scheme could see companies charged for roadworks - but confusion over who is handling process

A particularly disruptive set of roadworks in South Ribble. Credit: The Lancashire Lead

By Luke Beardsworth

A new scheme could see companies charged a daily rate to work on roads in Lancashire - unless they carry it out at quieter times.

Lancashire County Council is exploring the potential of rolling out a Lane Rental Scheme which would bring it in line with how Transport for London, Kent County Council, Surrey County Council and West Sussex County Council operate.

The success of the schemes in those areas prompted the government to encourage more authorities to introduce them in an attempt to minimise disruption.

And where disruption does happen - Lancashire County Council would have the powers to charge £2,500 per day for that work to take place. It is hoped that would ensure the duration of any work is kept to a minimum.

Those most affected would reportedly be utility companies - who often carry out work at short notice in order to repair defects in their networks.

The powers to introduce the scheme in Lancashire do not rest solely on a local basis as the county does not have an elected mayor - as such any plans would need to be approved by the government.

A press release issued by Lancashire County Council quotes Cllr Warren Goldsworthy, cabinet member for Highways and Transport, who said: “We know how frustrating roadworks and congestion can be. That’s why we’re exploring whether a Lane Rental Scheme could help reduce disruption across our road network.

“Lane Rental Schemes don’t stop roadworks – but they do encourage smarter planning, off-peak scheduling, and better coordination to keep traffic moving.

“No decisions have been made – we’re simply exploring whether this approach could work for Lancashire before making a considered choice that’s driven by the data.”

But it is worth noting that Lancashire County Council was already exploring the prospect of a Lane Rental Scheme well before Reform UK took power at County Hall in May.

Minutes from a meeting of the Lancashire Combined County Authority on 23 April state that a Lane Rental Scheme had been explored previously by Lancashire County Council but that the power now rested with the Combined County Authority.

But The Lancashire Lead understands that each highway authority in Lancashire - which would include Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council, would have to implement it in their own area.

Andy McNae, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, told The Lancashire Lead: “I am very glad that Lancashire County Council are now considering a lane rental scheme. I have been campaigning for this to be implemented for a long time.