Durham County Council has submitted a proposal to the Department for Transport (DfT) to introduce a lane rental scheme across key routes in County Durham, aimed at reducing congestion and disruption caused by road‑works.

The scheme would apply to around 260km of the county’s busiest carriageways, with charges levied on utilities and contractors occupying lanes during peak or high‑impact periods. Daily fees could reach up to £2,500 for full-day closures on major roads, aligning with national guidance.

Durham County Council developed its proposals with input from London-based street information management specialist GeoPlace which was appointed to develop a cost-neutral scheme that integrates with the county’s existing permit system and complies with the DfT’s Lane rental scheme, first introduced in 2012, but most recently updated in April this year.

Using its Critical Highway Routes Identification Service (CHRIS), GeoPlace worked with the council’s highways team to identify priority routes, integrating traffic flow data, DfT datasets, and local insights. GeoPlace provided interactive mapping tools and data outputs to ensure transparency and refine proposals and also produced a cost-benefit analysis, identifying potential lane rental models, including options for cost banding, time restrictions, and other configurable elements.

While the idea of lane rental is not new —schemes have operated in London, Kent, and Birmingham for over a decade—it represents a growing strategy for managing urban and strategic road networks more efficiently. The approach encourages contractors to plan works outside peak traffic times, reduces repeated disruption, and can generate funds to improve local highways.

Durham County Council’s scheme has already gone through a consultation phase and is expected to be approved by DfT in early 2026. If approved, a shadow or trial phase woill precede full implementation to ensure smooth operation.

Broader implications for the UK could be significant. Lane rental schemes nationally are seen as a tool to cut congestion, improve road reliability, and encourage collaborative working between local authorities and utility companies. Durham’s adoption could signal growing interest from other county councils outside the major cities, potentially creating a more coordinated approach to managing street‑works and protecting road users.

Cllr Tim McGuinness, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for rural, farming and transport, said, “The lane rental scheme gives us new powers to ensure roadworks are delivered promptly and efficiently. That means fewer delays, reduced disruption, and better journeys for everyone.”

Laura O’Gorman, Associate Delivery Manager for GeoPlace, said, “By harnessing accurate data and working closely with Durham County Council, we’ve been able to design a lane rental scheme that reduces disruption, improves traffic flow, and supports smarter, more efficient road management. Collaboration and data-driven insight are at the heart of delivering real benefits for communities.”

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