PERMIT SCHEME BID TO KEEP TRAFFIC MOVING                                

Derbyshire County Council is hoping a new scheme will ease the misery of drivers and get traffic moving across the county.

The authority is applying to the Government to use a permit system to manage when and where roadworks take place. This will mean any company – eg gas, water, electricity – who needs to carry out work will have to apply in advance for permission to do so detailing when, where and how long the proposed scheme will take.
The county council will then be able to plan and co-ordinate where works are taking place which in turn should help reduce congestion on the roads. Permits will be given according to the length of the proposed scheme and a charge will be made to cover administration and monitoring costs once the scheme has started.

The new system also gives the power to fine companies who fail to apply for a permit or who do not complete the works within the given timescale. The authority now has to apply to the Government giving details of the proposed scheme which it is hoped will start next year.

Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for sustainable communities Councillor Brian Lucas said: “By using a permit system we will be able to manage what works are carried out on our roads, encourage joint working and monitor companies to minimise the time it takes to carry out a scheme. All this will eventually mean less delays for drivers and the easier movement of traffic around the co.”
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