A group of London authorities, including Transport for London (TfL) and the City of London, has applied to the Department for Transport for permission to implement a new permit scheme to regulate roadworks in the capital.
The London Permit Scheme, which opened for consultation in March, regulate street works and ensure companies digging up roads minimise disruption to the public and other road users.
A statement issued by TfL yesterday said the consultation process has led to the inclusion of requirements that utilities and other companies digging up roads take into consideration the needs of visually impaired and other disabled pedestrians.
If the scheme is given the go-ahead by the Department for Transport, companies wanting to carry out work expected to last 11 days or more will need to give three months notice. In emergencies companies will need to make a permit application within two working hours of the start of work.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: “Londoners are tired of sitting in jams caused by traffic being funnelled through a slalom course of cones and temporary fencing, which often seem to be cordoning off nothing but abandoned equipment. When companies dig up our roads they must be mindful of the disruption they are causing and keep it to an absolute minimum.
Local authorities taking part 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.
