£5,000 fines for firms and councils that leave ‘ghost’ roadworks
Utility companies and councils could face fines of up to £5,000 a day for leaving roadworks unmanned at weekends in an effort to reduce traffic jams.
The proposals, from the Department of Transport, are designed to reduce congestion on A-roads and quell frustrations felt by motorists held up for long periods by ‘ghost’ roadworks, where no work is taking place.
Daily fines of £5,000 are currently in place for road works that overrun, but penalties could also be issued to those who leave temporary traffic lights in place after work has finished, the government said.
The transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, said: “I want to deliver better journeys for drivers. Roadworks can be essential but that doesn’t mean they should be in place any longer than is absolutely necessary.
Steve Gooding, director if the RAC Foundations, said: “Road users see red when they come across sets of temporary traffic lights that are stopping traffic but there are no workmen in sight or the work has actually finished.
In 2015 it was reported a third of all car journeys were delayed by roadworks.