New permit scheme agreed to help reduce disruptions on Rutland’s roads

Rutland County Council will be consulting utility providers on new permit scheme proposals, following approval from cabinet earlier this month.

The permit scheme being developed would introduce a new way in which activities in the public highway could be better managed and improve the council’s abilities to minimise disruption from street and road works.

The scheme would apply to all works on all roads and would require a fee to be paid by statutory undertakers for any works on Rutland’s highways. Statutory undertakers are organisations authorised to place, maintain and improve apparatus in the highway, under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. These include all the major utilities such as gas, water and sewerage, electricity and telecommunications.

Financial penalties may be imposed for works promoters who do not complete works on time, for working without a permit or who breach the conditions of a permit (for example, attending site before an agreed start time).

Permit schemes have been adopted by authorities across England for 15 years and have been shown to be an effective tool in reducing disruption. The Department for Transport considers that well-designed, outcome-focused, and reasonably implemented street works permit schemes provide the best method of managing a highway authority’s road network and the works that take place in or on the public highway.

"The proposed introduction of a permit scheme is a great step forward to be able to minimise the disruption from street and road works. We know that road works can be a real issue for residents and those travelling throughout our county and this is one of the ways as a council we are looking to reduce delays and improve our overall network."

Cllr Christine Wise, Cabinet Member for Transport, Environment and Communities

For more information about the Rutland permit scheme you can read the full report presented to cabinet on Tuesday 11 February.