Tackling road works

Tackling road works

Badly planned and neglected road works cause hours of unnecessary frustration to journeys and have a huge impact on congestion in the capital.

Road works pledge

The Mayor has launched a new pledge for contractors which clearly outlines what Londoners should expect to see from road works sites:

• Be tidy and safe with a clutter-free site so it is safe for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users
• Always explain what's happening through detailed, clear and consistent signage.
• Always have activity on site or, if not, explain why (for example if concrete is drying).
• Take up as little road / pavement space as possible with a compact working area and eliminating the unnecessary use of cones, safety barriers and storage of materials.
• Help keep London moving by working outside peak hours, re-opening the road to traffic at peak times and, where this is not possible, working 24/7 or extended hours to complete works as quickly as possible. Diversion routes should be clearly signed.

Report a road works problem

Londoners can now report disruptive or badly managed road works that are in breach of the new pledge using the Report It tool at: www.tfl.gov.uk/roadworks. You can also tweet problems @report_it using the hashtag #roadworks.

Complaints are sent directly to the authority responsible ensuring that matters are swiftly dealt with.

Utility companies code of conduct

The Mayor has worked with utility companies to establish a code of conduct to cut the delays and congestion caused by road works.  The six main utilities operating in London and 19 boroughs have now signed up to the Code. 

London permit scheme

We have introduced a permit system so that anyone who wants to dig up roads will have to apply for a permit before they can begin. This allows  Transport for London and those London boroughs who have signed-up to plan and coordinate the timing of works, so reducing the disruption to road users.

Penalties for delayed works

TfL and the 18 boroughs involved in setting up the road and street works permit scheme are trying to make sure that works are carried out as quickly as possible. To help achieve this, companies whose works overrun will be issued with a fixed penalty notice.

Lane rental

We want to introduce a lane rental scheme whereby utilities would have to pay to dig up the road. This would incentivise them to complete works quickly – the less time they take, the less they pay.