Under the scheme, which was drawn up by Transport for London and 18 borough councils and approved by Ministers in October, companies wishing to dig up roads will need to apply for a permit before work can begin.
TfL describe the scheme as “a key measure” in reducing disruption to road users and congestion in the capital which it says is caused by utility firms digging 300,000 holes every year.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “If companies want to dig up the roads, they must do so in a coordinated manner that causes the minimum disruption to Londoners – and this permitting scheme is a crucial step towards achieving a sensible solution.”
The 18 boroughs participating in the scheme are: City of London, Westminster City Council, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the London boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Lewisham, Redbridge and Wandsworth
