Roadwork disruption cut in London

London’s lane rental scheme has cut roadwork disruption by almost 50% at traffic hotspots.

A new study into the scheme shows that since its introduction the amount of serious and severe disruption caused by planned roadworks has been cut by 46% on the capital's busiest roads, reducing delays for all road users.

The scheme, which came into effect on 11 June 2012 on the busiest parts of London's road network, is designed to encourage utility companies to avoid digging up the busiest roads at peak traffic times.

Following the introduction of the scheme, around 90% of utility works and 99% of works carried out by Transport for London (TfL) in the lane rental areas have avoided disrupting these busy roads at peak times.

All the main utility companies are also now signed up to the use of rapid drying materials, considerably reducing the amount of time required to reopen roads and helping to save approximately 2,700 days of disruption across London.

All surplus money raised through the lane rental scheme is reinvested into measures to further reduce the disruption.

Alan Bristow, director of road space management at TfL, said: “The introduction of the UK's first lane rental scheme in London has already delivered significant benefits across the capital.

“By using this scheme to help fund more innovation and world-leading technologies, we can continue to reduce disruption and keep all road users on London's road network moving.'

Off the back of the results of the first year, TfL has also carried out a thorough review of the scheme to ensure it remains focused on the key areas that need to be kept free of disruption from roadworks.

A consultation on changes to further refine the areas it covers and reduce delays was recently carried out and the results of this will help ensure that the scheme remains effective once introduced later this year.

The Mayor and TfL are doubling their investment in the road network from £2 billion to £4bn across the next 10 years.