Hampshire County Council has submitted its lane rental proposals to the Department for Transport for a scheme that would charge utility companies and contractors for occupying road space on the county’s busiest routes, including parts of Fleet, Hampshire. The plan aims to reduce traffic congestion by disincentivising lane closures during peak times.
According to Hampshire County Council, the proposal is for a lane rental scheme under which companies could be charged up to £2,500 per day for a full road closure and up to £1,500 per day for lane closures or the use of temporary traffic lights. Officials say the charges are intended to encourage firms to complete works more quickly or carry out disruptive activity overnight or during quieter periods.
In Fleet, the council has identified major, frequently congested routes that could be designated as traffic-sensitive, including stretches of the A323 (Reading Road/Fleet Road) and the A3013 (Cove Road/Fleet Road). Local reporting confirms the council has submitted its proposals to the Department for Transport; the council aims for the scheme to become operational in spring 2026 if the DfT approves the application.
The council estimates the scheme could reduce roadwork-related delays by around 20% and generate approximately £1.6 million a year, money it says would be reinvested in maintaining the county’s highways to protect the roads budget. Local business groups have signalled support on the basis that fewer long-term lane closures would make it easier for customers to reach town centres.
If the Department for Transport approves the council’s submission, Hampshire County Council says it hopes the lane rental scheme could come into effect in spring 2026.
