Kingston Council Defeats Motion for Dedicated Roadworks Officer Amidst Debate on Infrastructure and Lane Rental Scheme

A motion calling for a dedicated officer to tackle roadworks and traffic delays has been defeated by councillors, with opponents arguing that existing measures and a forthcoming lane rental scheme are more appropriate solutions.

The motion, proposed by Councillor Ian George on behalf of the Conservative Group, sought to explore options for a dedicated officer post to improve traffic flow and proactively liaise with contractors to prevent regular road digging. Councillor George argued that whatever we've done so far is not working, noting the huge inconvenience that poorly managed and over-running roadworks have impacted on the daily lives of local residents and businesses. He stated that major delays on our roads continue on a regular basis and that there is much demand from local residents and businesses for the council to be much more proactive in liaising with contractors to prevent roads being dug up with such regularity.

The motion was ultimately defeated by 32 votes to one, with four abstentions.

Existing Measures and Upcoming Lane Rental Scheme

Councillor Nicola Nardelli, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Transport, highlighted the council's existing network coordinators, street work inspectors, and the upcoming lane rental scheme as sufficient measures to improve traffic flow. She argued that these existing structures, along with the lane rental scheme, would significantly improve traffic flow.

The lane rental scheme is due to come into force in 2027 for roadworks carried out on a limited number of the busiest parts of the highways network. The daily rates will vary between £1,000, £1,500, and £2,500, depending on the severity, depth, and scale of the work. However, these rates can be discounted or waived if utility companies work in unison. Councillor Nardelli cited statistics from Transport for London (TfL) roads, where a similar scheme has reportedly severely cut disruption on the roads by more than a third, and 65% have raised in collaborative works. This has resulted in £1 million saved in travel hours and a 30% rise in road works that are carried out at night, keeping the roads clear during the day when people need them.

Concerns Over Scheme Limitations and Infrastructure

Despite supporting the lane rental scheme, Councillor Yvonne Tracey raised concerns about its limited coverage and the potential for contractors to delay work on less critical roads. She noted that only certain roads are covered, and not many of the important roads that instantly cause problems when blocked. There is also a concern that contractors to delay working at other roads in order to prioritise other roads that cost them financially, and ultimately, the taxpayers that will be paying for these fines issued anyway.

Arguments Against a Dedicated Officer

Councillors voting against the motion questioned the necessity of an additional officer. Councillor Tom Reeve stated that the council already has staff managing roadworks and that the proposed role seemed unclear. Councillor Nardelli added that the council already has two network coordinators, and we already have two street work inspectors, and one street work manager. The lane rental scheme will also bring on another lane rental officer.

Councillor Andreas Kirsch, Leader of the Council, argued that the proposed officer post was a minuscule plaster on a larger problem of decades of underinvestment in the council's infrastructure. He elaborated that disruption leads to disruption, and you take your pick, but I'd rather have one of investment, to be very honest. He also highlighted existing legislative challenges, noting that utility companies do not need to tell councils until 48 hours after they have started the work that they have actually started the work, and that councils can find utility companies £80 a day for overrunning work, currently, under current legislation. Councillor Kirsch also pointed to specific issues like Thames Water losing 20 to 25 of its water supply a day.

An amendment proposed by Councillor James Giles and seconded by Councillor Yvonne Tracey, which sought to replace the call for a dedicated officer post with a request for the council to write to utility companies to discuss improvements, was also defeated by 33 votes to two, with 13 abstentions.

Agenda frontsheet Tuesday 13-Oct-2026 19.30 Council Public reports pack Tuesday 13-Oct-2026 19.30 Council