The Department for Transport has issued new statutory guidance for mayoral authorities. Local highway authorities (LHAs) can apply for lane rental schemes, which enable them to charge works promoters for the time that street and road works occupy the highway.
Under Section 27 and Schedule 9 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, mayors will be granted new powers to approve applications for lane rental schemes.
The guidance, which will come into force later in 2026, when powers in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 are introduced, supports mayors of strategic authorities in exercising their new approval functions, and explains what mayors should take into account when assessing lane rental applications from LHAs.