Companies to be charged £2,500 for roadworks at peak times if plans go ahead

Lancashire County Council is taking steps to tackle roadwork disruption on its busiest routes – with a potential Lane Rental Scheme now under serious consideration.

The government-backed initiative currently approved in four locations is designed to reduce disruption caused by roadworks on the busiest parts of the highway network during peak times.

Under the scheme, utility companies and contractors would pay a daily charge up to a maximum of £2,500 for each day they occupy a section of road during peak hours.

Read more: Savick’s £10m regeneration scheme finishes after seven years

No charge would apply if works are carried out during off-peak times. The aim is to encourage smarter planning, more collaborative working, and a shift toward scheduling works when roads are quieter.

Crucially, any income generated must be reinvested into improving the highway network – a requirement set by government regulations.

A feasibility study is currently underway to assess whether a scheme would be suitable for Lancashire.

This includes identifying the most congested parts of the network and reviewing roads formally classed as traffic sensitive – those where roadworks are likely to cause significant disruption – as required by government regulations.

A decision on whether to proceed will be made in early 2026, with a potential application to the Department for Transport to follow.

Utility companies – which would be most affected – and other stakeholders would be consulted if the scheme progresses.

Cllr Warren Goldsworthy, cabinet member for Highways and Transport, 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.”

The plan to introduce a Lane Rental Scheme was being explored under the previous County Hall administration and is being continued under Reform UK.

Support Blog Preston: Keep our community reporting going and view the website without any adverts too. Sign up for a membership today.

Stay updated: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox. Help us report too, by contacting us if you see something we should be reporting on.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines