Finsbury Park to be part of new roadworks co-ordination scheme

A new scheme designed to co-ordinate roadworks in the capital was launched yesterday in 16 London boroughs including Hackney, Haringey and Islington. The change in road-digging policy will hopefully herald a new era of free-flowing traffic in the Finsbury Park area.

Since the era of deregulation in the 1980s, utility companies have been able to start works in the roads at any time, resulting in multiple trenches, uncoordinated roadworks and major traffic disruption. Mayor Boris Johnson estimated the total number of holes dug in London's road each year at 300,000, at a cost of £1bn to businesses in the capital resulting from traffic delays.

Johnson described the previous system of companies being allowed to dig "without so much as a by your leave" as "utterly crazy" and "a disgrace" in his Telegraph column. The new scheme will require utility companies to apply for a time-limted permit before beginning works, which will enable co-ordination of roadworks to minimise disruption.

Permit prices will range from £40 to £240 depending on the size and complexity of works, and the permit application process will allow local councils to schedule roadworks sensibly, coordinating roadworks for the same sections of road at the same time. "It will encourage the utilities to share their trenches," Mayor Johnson added, "which will reduce disruption and Londoners' frustration."

The maximum fine for working without a permit will be £5,000, and the

maximum for breaking the conditions of a permit will be £2,500. If the scheme is successful in the 16 pilot boroughs this year, including the three that make up the Finsbury Park area, there are plans to roll out roadwork permits across the capital.

Are permits the answer to roadwork-induced driving headaches? Have your say below!