September 5, 2016 12.06 pm This story is over 90 months old

Council to decide on scheme requiring permits for Lincolnshire roadworks

A new scheme, which will require utility companies to pay for permits to work on Lincolnshire’s roads, is likely to be approved tomorrow, creating 12 new county council jobs. The scheme aims to improve the council’s ability to manage all works on the highway network, minimise inconvenience and reduce disruption to road users. Proposals were not…

A new scheme, which will require utility companies to pay for permits to work on Lincolnshire’s roads, is likely to be approved tomorrow, creating 12 new county council jobs.

The scheme aims to improve the council’s ability to manage all works on the highway network, minimise inconvenience and reduce disruption to road users.

Proposals were not been well received by some utility companies, with Virgin Media and Anglian Water both raising concerns about the council charging for work on highways.

At a meeting on Tuesday, September 6, it has been recommended that the Executive approves the scheme which would require companies to apply for permits on all highways and street works.

If approved, the permit scheme will be put in place from the October 5, 2016.

The Lincolnshire Permit Scheme would apply to firms working on new developments where planning permission has been granted and affects a highway, and to the council’s own road maintenance contractors.

Councillor Richard Davies, Executive Councillor for Highways and Transportation, previously said: “We are keen to ensure that our roads are open as much as possible for motorists to use, so we will employ staff to make sure this is working effectively.

“A huge amount of works on our network are actually carried out by utility companies and not the council – last year 80% of all works were those of water, gas and electricity suppliers.

“This scheme will help us manage any activity on the highway, control the timing and duration of works and make sure they are completed to a good standard.

“While we appreciate some works are emergencies, this will give us the option of issuing penalties when unnecessary inconvenience has been caused, such as not completing jobs on time or having to revisit works.”