Havering Council Approves Lane Rental Scheme to Tackle Road Works Disruption
Havering Council has approved the introduction of a lane rental scheme designed to manage road works more effectively and significantly reduce disruption for residents. The scheme, which was formally approved by the Secretary of State for Transport in June 2026, will see utility companies and other works promoters charged for occupying busy roads during peak hours.
The Havering Lane Rental Scheme, agreed upon by the Cabinet on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, aims to incentivise more efficient working practices and encourage off-peak scheduling. This initiative is expected to minimise traffic congestion and improve journey times for road users.
Councillor Alex Sibley, Cabinet Member for Highways, presented the proposals, explaining that the charges will vary based on a road's 'traffic sensitivity'. Roads are categorised into High, Medium, and Low charge bands, determined by usage, traffic data, and their importance within the network hierarchy, following Department for Transport (DfT) methodology. The daily charges are set centrally at £2,500 for High, £1,500 for Medium, and £1,000 for Low charge bands.
The scheme will be monitored and enforced by three new permanent full-time equivalent posts within the Highways Service: one Network Scheme Inspector and two Network Permit Officers. These roles will be crucial in operating the scheme and ensuring compliance.
Funds generated from the scheme are earmarked for reinvestment into highway maintenance, pothole repairs, and projects aimed at reducing road disruption. Half of any surplus funds will be allocated to highway maintenance, while the remaining 50% will be available for bids from utility companies and the council. These bids can support initiatives such as 'Highway works which reduce congestion' and 'To support innovative techniques and technologies for speeding up street and road works'.
During the Cabinet discussion, Councillor Ford raised concerns about potential conflicts between income generation and disruption reduction. However, Councillor Keith Prince, Leader of the Council, reassured members that the primary objective remains to minimise inconvenience to residents. He added that if the scheme proves so successful that it generates minimal revenue, it would be considered a positive outcome.
The scheme has undergone extensive consultation with utility companies, highway authorities, and the public, with responses largely supportive and no objections received. The Department for Transport has also approved the scheme.
The success of the lane rental scheme will be measured through an annual evaluation report, which will assess various Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These include the number of works on the lane rental network, days saved through collaborative works, works that avoided charges, remedial works undertaken, waivers and reductions applied, and an estimation of carbon emission reductions resulting from decreased peak time works and associated congestion.
While the exact timeline for full implementation and when residents will see the effects is not explicitly stated, the Cabinet's approval on 14 October 2026, following the Secretary of State's approval in June 2026, implies that implementation would follow shortly thereafter. The scheme operates alongside the existing street works permit scheme, with charges varying based on the road's traffic sensitivity, ranging from £1,000 to £2,500 per day.
This measure is expected to encourage better planning of works, shorter durations, and a greater use of off-peak working hours, ultimately leading to a reduction in delays for road users and a more efficient road network for Havering.