Wandsworth proposes roadworks charges, with streets and start date unset
Utility companies could face charges for occupying busy roads under a council proposal. The announcement gives no street list, local tariff or launch date.
Wandsworth Council proposed charging utility companies for roadworks on its busiest roads on September 24, aiming to encourage faster completion and reduce disruption for residents and businesses. Its announcement does not identify the streets covered, set local charges or give a launch date.
Under the proposed lane rental scheme, companies occupying roads for longer periods, particularly at peak times, could face additional charges. The council says the incentive would encourage better planning and minimise the impact of works on traffic.
The council’s announcement describes a proposal, not an operating scheme. Faster roadworks and reduced congestion are its intended results; the announcement does not establish that those benefits have been achieved.
What charges could mean
Department for Transport guidance describes lane rental charges of up to £2,500 a day for works occupying roads at particularly disruptive times and locations. That is national context, not a confirmed Wandsworth tariff.
The department says suitability depends on traffic volumes, the concentration of street works and an authority’s capacity to administer a scheme. It says benefits should be weighed against costs and administrative burdens for authorities and utilities.
Why scheme design matters
In its July 3, 2025 report, the House of Commons Transport Committee recommended wider use of lane rental, with schemes designed to reward speedy completion rather than charge companies regardless of how they work.
The committee also recorded utility companies’ concerns that poorly designed charges could raise revenue without rewarding less disruptive working practices. Those were sector-wide concerns, not allegations about Wandsworth’s proposal.
For residents, the council’s announcement establishes the proposed approach but leaves its practical reach unresolved: which streets would attract charges, how much companies would pay and when the scheme could begin. It provides no timetable for when residents might see an effect.
Sources and context
- Council sets out action to tackle congestion and get Wandsworth moving againWandsworth Borough Council
- Managing the impact of street worksHouse of Commons Transport Committee
- Assessing and implementing lane rental scheme applications: statutory guidance for mayorsDepartment for Transport
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.
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