Lane rental scheme
Lambeth Council will be implementing a lane rental scheme on 15.9% of its road network in mid 2026 as part of efforts to reduce traffic congestion, improve journey reliability, and lower vehicle emissions.
The scheme, which builds on the council’s statutory duty under the Traffic Management Act 2004 (TMA), will charge for works conducted on the borough’s busiest streets during peak traffic hours.
The scheme targets high-traffic areas, encouraging undertakers to schedule work outside peak hours or adopt more efficient methods.
The scheme aligns with Lambeth’s 2030 Our Borough Plan, which prioritises climate resilience.
By reducing road congestion, the scheme aims to:
- cut emissions from idling vehicles
- improve air quality
- enhance public transport reliability.
Making the best use of our road network is vital for Lambeth. Our roads facilitate the transport of people and goods, provide access to homes, businesses and other destinations, and provide public space where people shop, socialise or relax. Under the road surface lies essential infrastructure for the communications and services that underpin our lives.
Lambeth Council has a legal duty to manage, maintain and improve the road network, including managing its use and the activities taking place on it which includes street works and road works.
The council has a range of powers and duties under which they maintain and improve the network, as well as managing its use and the activities taking place on it.
In 2012, the council introduced a permit scheme, which saw a progressive increase in the ability to manage and coordinate works to minimise disruption.
A lane rental scheme will complement this permit scheme by providing greater financial incentive to encourage organisations to improve their planning and delivery to work outside of peak times and reduce the duration of their work.
A lane rental scheme, applied to our busiest roads, should therefore reduce any additional disruption and causation or increase in congestion both on the carriageway and footway.