The council has won approval from the government to start charging utility companies for disruption along key routes at peak times

Enfield Council has been given the go-ahead to implement London’s first lane rental scheme for utility companies – designed to cut traffic and keep the borough’s roads moving.

Following approval from the Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL), the council can now begin implementing the scheme, which will see firms charged for carrying out roadworks on the busiest sections of the borough’s road network at peak times.

The scheme is designed to encourage companies to schedule their work at less disruptive times and therefore reducing congestion.

The council submitted its application to DfT at the start of this year and, although other councils including Barnet are also considering similar schemes, Enfield Civic Centre says it is the first in London to have won approval.

The scheme will apply to key roads in Enfield that are most affected by congestion and are seen as essential to keeping the borough moving. Revenue collected from lane rental charges will be reinvested into initiatives that improve the local road network, including fixing potholes.

Similar schemes elsewhere in the country have already delivered measurable reductions in road disruption and improved co-ordination.

Rick Jewell, cabinet member for transport and waste, said: “We are proud that Enfield is leading the way in London with this new approach to managing roadworks. The Lane Rental Scheme will help us keep traffic moving, reduce disruption for residents and businesses, and ensure that those carrying out works on our roads plan more efficiently and responsibly.”

Implementation of the scheme in Enfield will begin soon, with further details due to be confirmed.

For more information:
Visit enfield.gov.uk/news-and-events/2025/02/lane-rental-scheme-proposal-to-reduce-traffic

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