Councils aim to cut traffic disruption

Councils in Yorkshire are considering applying for new powers to control roadworks taking place on the region's main roads.

Six authorities are proposing a Yorkshire Common Permit Scheme, which will mean that those who need to work on the busiest roads will have to apply in advance for a permit.

If the scheme goes ahead the councils, Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield, Leeds and Kirklees, will be able to refuse to grant a permit if they are not happy that the work will meet special conditions.

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Councillor Ian Auckland, Sheffield City Council Cabinet member for highways, said: "Many road works can be infuriating, disrupting traffic and causing major traffic delays.

"The proposals for this permit scheme aim to minimise these. The permit will state when and how the job shall be done, with fixed start and finish dates, rather than the open-ended nature of the existing system."

A number of other highway authorities across the country are in the process of introducing similar schemes and the first two that have been implemented are showing substantial improvements in London and in Kent.

The statutory consultation for the Yorkshire Common Permit Scheme will run until March 9. The consultation documents are available on the Yorkshire Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee website.