Bus passing the Barnet Council Colindale offices in 2 Bristol Avenue
Barnet Council’s Cabinet has agreed to consult on plans for a Lane Rental Scheme to charge extra for roadworks conducted during the busiest periods on the borough’s busiest roads.
Subject to the results of a public consultation, the plans would help minimise traffic disruption by incentivising utilities companies to complete roadworks during quieter times, or more quickly.
Council projections estimate that the new policy could lead to:
- A 30% reduction in roadworks carried out at the busiest traffic times.
- A 20% reduction in the length of roadworks – due to new technology, efficiency and innovation.
- A 50% increase in emergency roadworks being completed within 24 hours, during which time they would be exempt from the proposed Lane Rental Scheme charge.
- A 35% increase in collaborative working between partners conducting similar works.
The Lane Rental Scheme would separate the borough’s highways into red, amber and green bands – with charges corresponding to time, day and congestion levels. The highest level would see utility companies having to shell out £2,500 a day for works conducted in congestion hotspots, like certain parts of the A5.
Cllr Alan Schneiderman, Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change, said: “Our lane rental scheme would help to cut congestion on our roads and speed up buses. By cutting the number of idling vehicles on our roads it will also massively improve our air quality. Air pollution is linked to serious health conditions like asthma, cancer, and heart disease – at every stage of life – so this proposal really will help everyone.
“We’re committed to becoming net zero as a borough by 2042 – working with our residents and partners to do so – and this would help us achieve that. Money generated through the new charges would be put towards improving our roads and reducing incidents of flooding across the borough – a win-win for everyone.”
The council’s Cabinet will conduct a six-week consultation to gauge public opinion on the Lane Rental Scheme. If broadly supportive, the proposals will be submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport for approval – with the aim of introducing them borough-wide from April 2026.