Labour councillor Tom Hinchcliffe has backed new charges of up to £2,500 a day intended to encourage companies to avoid carrying out roadworks on the busiest routes at peak times.
Leeds, Wakefield and Kirklees launched their lane rental schemes on 5 October, with charges of up to £2,500 a day for works affecting key routes during peak periods.
Work outside busy hours
The councils want utilities and other organisations to schedule work outside busy hours, coordinate their projects and complete them more efficiently.
The charges also apply to works carried out or commissioned by the councils themselves. Each authority secured Department for Transport approval before introducing its scheme.
Hinchcliffe, Leeds City Council’s executive member for transport and planning, said the approach would help keep the city moving and reduce disruption for residents.
A joined-up approach across West Yorkshire
The three authorities developed common principles and a consistent charging approach, including for projects close to their boundaries. They also expect benefits for bus reliability and emissions.
Closures supporting events such as the Rob Burrow Marathon and Leeds Abbey Dash will not attract the charges.
