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£25,000 fine for every day that roadworks overrun
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent30.07.09
Utility firms which overrun on works digging up roads face being hit with charges of up to £25,000 a day, the Standard reveals today.
They may also be forced to rent out a road lane, at a cost of thousands of pounds, to carry out works, under hardline plans by transport minister Sadiq Khan to tackle the "massive disruption" they cause on London streets.
In addition, Transport for London, as well as at least eight boroughs in the capital, are moving to introduce permit schemes to better regulate the laying and repairs of pipes and wires on the roads.
Tooting MP Mr Khan said: "I am fed up with excuses. Local authorities and utility companies must up their game."
Mr Khan today announced that Kent County Council has become the first local authority in England to adopt a permit scheme to enforce conditions such as deadlines.
But the Standard understands that ministers are considering far tougher penalties for firms if they fail to cut disruption, including overrun charges of up to £25,000 a day - 10 times the current level.
Reader views (7)
Adam in Harrow - would you really like all that noise outside your house 24 hours a day, I think not. There are environmental laws that restrict this type of activity.
Bigger fines will just end up with bigger bills for the end user.
The utility companies have to cut through massive red tape in order to work on TfL red routes - their work is the most regulated. Shame that can't be said for TfL's own work, most of that is a disgrace. Some of the local boroughs do not fair much better
- Hole Digger, Herts
The problem is that the Goverment blames the utilities, but the truth is thye have let this go on for years, London has TFL which is meant to keep london running smoothly, this mob could not organise your xmas party at a brewery.
Remember TFL was started on Ken Livingstones watch, and he is a car hater, therefore do you really think that he put pressure on TFL to get London moving.
Ken actually admitted that during his 2 terms approx 10k plus sets of new traffic lights were added to the streets of London, then they added the all of a junction on red scenario, then they narrowed certain major pinch point junctions, and then they put the congestion charge up because London was slowing down.
The problem also is that apart from changing a few sets of lights to stay on green longer Boris has done nothing to reverse any of these things, also most of the TFL people emplyed by Ken still remain in place at City Hall.
So dont hold your breath for any sensible changes.
- Steve M, LONDON
All fees, taxes, fines, eventually come from the tax payer, the customers, the rent payers, etc.
To fine regulated "vital services" monopolies that operate with no fear of ever losing customers or their contracts, is all symbolism to appease ignorant citizens.
- Trunk, US
What a con.....and who do you think will end up paying for this???
- Tony Heath, Godalming, Surrey
Fine them until the pips squeak. That's the answer!
Moronic idea. They will just refuse to do any repairs.
What must be imposed on any utility co that digs up the road or pavement in critical areas is that the work must continue 24/7 until complete.
No more conned off lanes on the roads with nobody working!
- Adam, Harrow, UK
So we're going to be paying even more for our bills then? Sadiq Khan might be able to afford it but I can't.
- Gareth Rogers, London
This money should be paid directly to local authorities on the understanding that it cannot be paid out as part of a bonus scheme, as this would be seen as corruption & we cannot have that.
- William, Hay~Heath UK
