Fines for firms dig up roads rush hour. Firms that dig up roads during rush hour could receive fines of up to £2,500, under a new 'lane rental' scheme announced by the government.Under the scheme, unveiled by Transport Secretary Philip Hammond today, local councils will be able to impose charges on utility firms digging up the busiest roads during peak times.

After obtaining approval from the Department of Transport, councils will be able to charge companies up to £2,500 a day, although companies will be able to avoid the fines by carrying out the works during off-peak times.

Mr Hammond said of the scheme: ‘Everyone knows how frustrating it can be when you are sat in a traffic jam, unable to get to work or drop off the children at school because someone is digging up the road.

‘This disruption is expensive as well as inconvenient, with one estimate valuing the loss to the economy from roadworks congestion at £4 billion a year. We simply cannot afford this.

‘That is why I am putting forward proposals which would incentivise utility companies and local authorities to carry out their works at times when they will cause the minimum disruption to the travelling public.’

Many welcomed the news, with RAC motoring strategist Adrian Tink saying: ‘This will certainly be a popular move with drivers. We know their day-to-day drives are the most important to them, and anything that stops unnecessary delays on those journeys can only be good news.’

Source: metro