Hampshire Moves Closer to Charging for Road Closures Under Lane Rental Scheme

Hampshire County Council is preparing to submit plans for a controversial “lane rental scheme” to the Department for Transport (DfT), which would see operators charged for road closures on some of the county’s busiest routes.

If approved, the scheme could generate around £2.8 million annually, based on roadworks data from the past three years. It would apply to roughly 500 streets across 750 kilometres—about eight per cent of Hampshire’s total road network.

Daily charges under the proposals would be £2,500 for full road closures and £1,500 for lane closures or temporary traffic lights, with fees limited to peak periods. Exemptions would apply outside these times.

The council says the primary goal is to encourage better planning of roadworks, reducing disruption by discouraging work during peak hours and shortening project durations. A report for the highways cabinet member states: “Congestion and disruption caused by roadworks can have a significant impact on residents and road users. The lane rental scheme is intended to help minimise disruption and ensure works are carefully planned and executed to cause the least impact on Hampshire’s busy road network.”

A consultation held last summer saw many utility companies raise objections, citing concerns about operational difficulties, safety risks, and noise issues from night-time or weekend work. Some operators warned that adjusting schedules to avoid charges could even prolong roadworks rather than shorten them.

Despite these concerns, Hampshire County Council maintains the scheme is designed to improve efficiency, reduce congestion, and encourage more effective roadworks management.

The final decision on whether the lane rental scheme will be submitted to the DfT is expected on Monday 19.