Decision details

The New Roads & Street Works Act 1991, as amended, contains provision for Highway Authorities to operate Lane Rental Schemes that involve charging promoters of street and road works for the time their works occupy the highway network.

The County Council has a well-run operational Permit Scheme however, as there is no cost associated with the duration or timing of the works, there is no financial incentive for works promoters to reduce the number of days taken to complete the works or to work outside the busiest periods.

It is anticipated that a Lane Rental Scheme, which will enable the County Council to charge for occupation of the most traffic sensitive streets at traffic sensitive times, will encourage the planning of works outside of these times and lead to reduced delays for road users.

The Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport has –

1.      Introduced a West Sussex Lane Rental Scheme (WSLRS) as set out in Appendix A and the lane rental charges and policy set out in Appendix C subject to approval by the Secretary of State for Transport; and

2.      Delegated authority to the Director for Highways, Transport and Planning to submit the proposed Lane Rental Scheme to the Secretary of State for Transport for an Order to bring a Lane Rental Scheme into legal effect for West Sussex County Council.

None