Worcester traffic gridlock: 'charge utilities for roadworks'

Cllr Alan Amos, who said he is Worcester's 'motorists' champion', is calling for Highways bosses to take decisive action to ease roadworks traffic jams by bringing in lane rental.

Cllr Amos, a former member for Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport, challenged current incumbent Cllr Marc Bayliss at a full meeting of Worcestershire County Council on November 7.

Cllr Bayliss said while various options were being explored, there was 'no silver bullet' to reduce traffic congestion.

However, Cllr Amos said he is convinced utility firms like Severn Trent Water, Cadent and National Grid should be charged 'by the hour' as part of such a scheme, arguing similar systems had already worked successfully in other parts of the UK.

The Lower Wick and Pitmaston city councillor believes it would create a powerful financial incentive for these companies to finish work quickly - and the legislation is already in place to make it happen.

DELAYS: Temporary traffic lights cause delays by Waitrose in London Road in Worcester on Wednesday (Image: Newsquest) Cllr Amos, also a county councillor for Bedwardine, made the comments as the city's London Road ground to a halt on Wednesday because of roadworks by City Fibre outside Waitrose while work is underway on Bromwich Road in St John's.

CONCERNED: Cllr Alan Amos says he is a champion for motorists in Worcester and is fed-up of them facing such long delays on the roads (Image: James Connell/Newsquest photos)

Cllr Amos said: “A report to introduce such a scheme was due to go to Cabinet in September 2022 but the leadership quickly buried it and has no intention to give every motorist a gift by cutting traffic congestion on our roads.

"Traffic congestion has always been the top concern of the people of Worcestershire, as confirmed by what residents tell the county council in its annual viewpoint surveys.

"Lane rental schemes have been hugely successful wherever they have been introduced, such as in Kent, Surrey, and London.

"Also, the Government is strongly in favour and says 'we know that lane rental is effective at reducing congestion…and we would like to see more schemes put in place. Schemes are now easier and quicker to set up, and any surplus revenue can be spent on repairing potholes'.

He added: "A lane rental scheme in Worcestershire would directly deal with its biggest problem and get the utilities off our roads as quickly as possible.

ANSWER: Marc Bayliss said there was 'no silver bullet' for traffic congestion in Worcestershire (Image: Supplied) "There is no need to wait or delay, so the council’s claim that it is waiting for some further technical report is utter rubbish.

"Everybody has sat in a car in huge traffic queues alongside holes in the road with nobody doing any work. Lane rental heavily financially penalises utilities for doing nothing and we would see a dramatic improvement in how quickly repairs get done. At the moment, the utilities have no incentive to do the work quickly or efficiently. So what is the real reason for the council’s refusal to act?"

A National Grid Electricity Distribution spokesperson said: "We work closely with local authorities to minimise disruption when undertaking essential maintenance or emergency repairs to our network.

"This is a heavily regulated process that ensures roadworks are done in a way that balances the engineering and safety requirements while minimising the impact it has on local communities.

"Penalties are already applicable if work is not completed within permit parameters. Regardless of what scheme is in place, we always do our utmost to complete work safely and efficiently."

Paul Baldwyn, Head of Streetworks Policy at Severn Trent, said: “We completely understand how inconvenient roadworks can be and we always aim to complete any job as quickly and safely as possible.  

“Ultimately any decision around introduction of lane rental would be at the discretion of the local authority and we are happy to work within whichever system they opt for.” 

Lane rental allows a highway authority to charge up to £2,500 per day for works on the busiest roads at the busiest times.

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We approached Worcestershire County Council for a comment and were referred to an answer given by Marc Bayliss at the last full council meeting.

Cllr Bayliss said: "Certainly dealing with congestion is a major focus for this administration as was proven in my report to council earlier today and we will continue to look at measures to reduce congestion, including this one.

"I don't think there is a single silver bullet to deal with congestion but this may well be part of the mix and, where it is possible, we will look to implement it."