We are taking action to reduce disruption caused by roadworks and alleviate congestion.
This month we became one of the first councils in the country to begin a lane rental trial scheme. This means that we’ll have the power to charge utility companies and contractors for working on our busiest roads, encouraging better planning and less disruption.
By applying the daily charge on traffic-sensitive streets we’ll be incentivising works to take place at quieter times or to be completed more quickly. All the money raised will be reinvested into the road network, meaning more money for the things like fixing potholes.
The trial period is set to last for a month, and we intend to make the scheme permanent in the summer.
Councillor Stuart Neaverson, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “I’m delighted that Merton is leading the way in London by becoming one of the first councils to implement a lane rental scheme.
“It is incredibly frustrating when utility companies like SGN and Thames Water take up vital road space for days or weeks on end, causing disruption for Merton residents.
“These new powers will help us hold these utility companies to account by charging them each day they carry out roadworks. Trials elsewhere in the country show this can have a significant impact on reducing the length of roadworks. It will also allow us to invest even more into our road network for use on the things that matter to local residents, like fixing potholes.”
