RESOLVED:
1. That Surrey County Council undertake a consultation as prescribed in the Department for Transport Lane Rental Schemes Guidance for English Local Highway Authorities with a view to introducing a lane rental scheme. Subject to the results of that consultation having been taken into account and a scheme being considered appropriate to make a submission to the Secretary of State for an Order to bring a scheme into legal effect.
2. That delegated authority be given to the Director for Infrastructure and Delivery in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport to approve the commencement of a lane rental scheme once the Secretary of State approval has been obtained.
Reason for decision:
Surrey County Councils’ Community Vision for Surrey in 2030 has an aspiration that “Journeys across the County are easier, more predictable and safer”. A lane rental scheme will help us achieve this aspiration. Analysis from pioneer lane rental schemes, introduced by Transport for London (2012) and Kent County Council (2013) demonstrate clear benefits from a scheme. These benefits are derived from behaviour changes by organisations undertaking works, to avoid lane rental charges, and additional control by both Authorities to coordinate works.
[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee]