POTHOLES AND ROADWORKS: Havering’s new lane rental scheme moves a step closer.
Utility companies could face charges of up to £2,500 a day for digging up Havering’s busiest roads, as a proposed lane rental scheme moves towards Cabinet approval. Former Highways Cabinet Member Councillor Barry Mugglestone has told The Havering Daily that he first raised the idea with council officers in early 2025, but says local authority bureaucracy has delayed progress.
Councillor Mugglestone said he was pleased to see the scheme finally moving forward, having first heard about it at a London Councils meeting.
“I am glad to see the Lane Rental Scheme will be going to the Cabinet for approval, I raised this scheme with officers early in 2025 after hearing about it at a London Councils meeting, but due to local authority bureaucracy we are only just seeing the scheme being followed through”.
The scheme is designed to tackle a familiar frustration for motorists across Havering: roadworks that cause congestion, disrupt journeys and appear to drag on for far too long.
Under London lane rental schemes, utility companies can be charged for occupying busy roads while carrying out works. The aim is to encourage companies to complete projects more quickly and schedule work during less disruptive periods, helping to keep traffic moving and reduce vehicle emissions.
Councillor Mugglestone explained that the proposal still has several hurdles to clear before it can be introduced.
“The scheme/application needs to have Secretary of State approval, and go through Havering’s own legal, finance and HR teams etc.
How London Lane Rental Schemes Work
Purpose: Designed to reduce traffic congestion, minimize disruption, shorten project durations, and lower vehicle emissions by incentivising companies to work during off-peak hours.
Daily Charges: Fees are tiered based on road sensitivity and importance, typically costing £1,000 for lower-impact routes up to £2,500per day for high-importance arterial roads.
Fund Reinvestment: By law, 50% of the revenue generated is ringfenced for highway maintenance and pothole repairs, while the remaining 50% funds innovative local congestion-reduction and traffic management initiatives
One of the main reasons behind the proposal was the number of complaints about utility companies digging up the road in Havering then disappearing. Having a lane rental policy in place will make utility companies think twice about getting the work done in a timely manner and keep traffic flowing.
It is worth mentioning that the Gallows Corner fiasco, would not have benefitted from the scheme as TfL are responsible for the infrastructure at this location.
Lane rental will not be implemented across the entire Borough and will only be on the main road network, and Havering will be one of 11 London Boroughs to have the Lane Rental schemes .
It’s good to see that 50% will be ring fenced for Pothole repairs and am pleased to see that HRA are still having an impact on the borough due to the work we undertook when in administration.”
A key attraction of the scheme is the potential for revenue to support Havering’s roads. Under the arrangements described by Councillor Mugglestone, 50 per cent of the income would be ringfenced for highway maintenance and pothole repairs, with the remainder supporting local congestion-reduction and traffic-management initiatives.
However, the scheme would not cover every road in Havering. It would apply only to selected parts of the main road network, and Councillor Mugglestone stressed that the Gallows Corner works would not have benefited because the infrastructure there is the responsibility of Transport for London.
Havering is expected to become one of 11 London boroughs operating a lane rental scheme, subject to the necessary approvals.
For residents fed up with roadworks, delays and deteriorating road surfaces, the proposal could offer a way to put greater pressure on utility companies to finish their work promptly while directing some of the money raised back into local roads.
The next step is Cabinet consideration, with further approvals required before the scheme can be implemented.
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Now that the gallows corner replacement debacle is over does TFL plan to fund and repair the potholes and road cracks in the surrounding area cause by lorries caught up in the diversions