Lane rental scheme to ‘reduce impact’ of Leeds highways works

Leeds will be one of three West Yorkshire councils launching schemes which will see companies charged for carrying out works on the busiest roads during the busiest times.

Later this calendar year Leeds, Wakefield and Kirklees councils will be charging companies such as utilities or other works promoters as much as £2,500 per day if they operate on key routes during the busiest times of day.

The aim of Lane Rental Schemes is to reduce the impact of works on the highway and delays by encouraging organisations to schedule works outside peak periods, and to collaborate or work more efficiently.

The three councils have worked together and each secured Department for Transport approval for their schemes.

Alongside reducing disruption and delays during peak times, the council says the schemes should help reduce carbon emissions while also improving the reliability of public transport by protecting key bus routes.

Councillor Peter Carlill (Lab, Calverley & Farsley), Leeds City Council’s executive member for transport and planning, said: “We are always working hard to keep the city moving and minimise disruption, looking to co-ordinate works as best we can.

“Using a Lane Rental Scheme gives us more power and more options by being able to levy charges to encourage better and more efficient behaviour from those working in our roads, so that residents face less disruption and delay as they move around the city.

“Co-ordinating the introduction of our schemes with our neighbouring councils also ensures a fairness and consistency of approach, which is mindful of how works in one council area can have a wider impact on surrounding communities.”

Along with adopting a consistent approach to charging and common principles, the councils are launching their schemes simultaneously to make it easier for organisations when applying to carry out works.