Charges could put the brakes on roadworks

SCHEME WOULD SEE FIRMS, COUNCILS AND UTILITIES HIT WITH DAILY FEES

- By PAUL BRITTON

COMPANIES, councils and utility providers could be charged for carrying out peak-time roadworks on the busiest routes across Greater Manchester.

The new plan, now being considered by civic leaders and transport bosses, is designed to cut traffic congestion.

Town halls and utility and private companies carrying out work on the most ‘traffic-sensitive’ roads during peak times would face daily fees under the ‘lane rental’ proposals.

A list of 787 qualifying roads across Greater Manchester’s 10 boroughs - totalling more than 500 miles - has been drawn up. That figure, however, is said to cover just under 10 per cent of all the city region's highways.

A map shows almost all of the major arterial routes around Manchester city centre are covered.

Fees would range from £1,500 per day for lane closures to £2,500 per day for full road closures, with a £350 daily charge for work on areas that affect pedestrians, said Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).