Oxfordshire Council to Charge Utility Firms for Peak-Time Roadworks

Companies carrying out roadworks in Oxfordshire will soon have to pay daily charges for closing busy roads during peak travel times, under a new lane rental scheme approved by the government.

The move allows Oxfordshire County Council to introduce charges for utility firms, developers, and even the council’s own maintenance teams when they occupy key routes during the busiest hours of the day.

The scheme — already in place in London, Kent, Surrey and West Sussex — is designed to cut congestion, reduce disruption for residents, and encourage faster completion of essential works.

Reducing disruption

Under the new system, firms will be charged a daily fee for works carried out on around 9% of Oxfordshire’s busiest roads. The council currently receives around 30,000 requests for road access each year.

By applying charges only during peak travel times, the council hopes to incentivise companies to work during off-peak hours or complete projects more quickly to reduce costs.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said he was “eager to implement” the scheme and “reap the benefits for everyone in Oxfordshire.”

“It is in everyone’s interests for utilities to minimise their impacts,” he said. “A lane rental scheme provides a strong incentive to complete work as quickly as possible.”

Reinvesting in Oxfordshire’s roads

Any money raised through the scheme will be reinvested directly into improving Oxfordshire’s highways, helping fund road maintenance, resurfacing, and congestion-reduction projects.

Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds welcomed the decision, saying it would help “minimise disruption” and ensure firms “get works done as swiftly as possible.”

“It is fantastic news that companies will soon have to pay a daily charge for occupying our roads during the busiest times,” she said. “Residents are tired of dug-up roads, endless temporary traffic lights and delays — this will help ensure things move faster. I’ll be pushing for strong enforcement from day one.”

The lane rental scheme is expected to come into force in 2025, following further local consultation and detailed planning to identify which routes will be affected.