London's Wandsworth consults on roadworks charge of up to £2,500 a day near Putney Bridge — and the council itself would pay too

Wandsworth Council has opened a public consultation on a lane rental scheme that would charge up to £2,500 per road per day for occupying busy roads at peak hours. The measure targets recurring traffic gridlock around the Putney Bridge junction and the Albert Bridge area caused by street works and underground utility maintenance. The consultation opened on October 16 and closes on November 13.

Three charging bands — and council works are not exempt

Road segments would be banded by traffic sensitivity at £1,000, £1,500 or £2,500 a day, capped at £2,500 per road per day. The charge would fall on utility companies, developers working under highways agreements, and the council itself. Notably, council-led highways works sit outside the primary legislation governing lane rentals, but the scheme document requires charges to apply to borough works as well, so the council pays on the same terms.

The council stresses the charge is for occupying the road during busy periods, not a fine for overrunning, which remains covered by separate legal powers. The aim is to change how works are planned: avoiding the busiest periods where possible, finishing faster, or coordinating with other utilities to share street access and reduce disruption.

Timetable and next steps

If approved, the scheme is expected to begin in April 2027, with fee collection starting in May 2027, subject to formal approval from the Department for Transport. Cabinet member for transport Cllr Nick Austin said when the proposals were announced in September that the council had developed new proposals for a lane rental scheme to encourage faster roadworks and hold utility companies to account on behalf of residents when works go on too long and cause unnecessary disruption, adding that congestion in the Putney and Albert Bridge areas is rightly causing residents concern and frustration. Residents have until November 13 to have their say.