Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield Councils have announced that they will all be charging utility companies if they choose to operate on key routes during the busiest times, with charges of up to £2,500 per day.

The aim of the Lane Rental scheme is to reduce the impact of roadworks by encouraging organisations to plan works at quieter times, collaborate to minimise the number of roadworks, and work more efficiently to reduce how long roadworks take, according to the Dewsbury Reporter.

The three West Yorkshire councils have worked together to secure Department for Transport approval for their scheme, and any money raised from these charges will be reinvested into upgrading and maintaining roads.

Coun John Hardie, Kirklees Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, highways and transport, said:

“Whilst roadworks are often essential, we all want to see less disruption and delays. This new scheme will help us achieve this by giving us the tools we need to incentivise better co-ordination, planning and efficiency from those working on our roads.

“By joining up with our neighbouring councils we’re sending a strong message to companies about the importance of working efficiently and considerately.

“We want to keep Kirklees residents, businesses and travellers moving and lane rental will mean we have the powers to do that.”

The intention is that all three councils will introduce their schemes later this year to make the changes easier for those working on the roads to navigate and help better manage works that cross council boundaries.

The Lane Rental Scheme charges apply to all organisations carrying out works on the district’s road network.

(Picture: Leeds City Council)