Enfield becomes first London borough to launch innovative lane rental scheme

In a major move to tackle traffic congestion, Enfield Council has officially received government approval to launch London’s first-ever borough-led "Lane Rental Scheme." The initiative aims to reduce travel delays by charging utility companies and contractors for carrying out roadworks during peak hours on the borough's busiest routes.

Approved by the Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL), the scheme is designed to incentivise companies to work more efficiently, coordinate their projects better, and avoid occupying road space when traffic is at its heaviest.

How it works

Under the new model, organizations that need to dig up roads—such as water, gas, and internet providers—will be required to "rent" the lane space if their work disrupts traffic during high-volume periods. By putting a price on road space, the council hopes to push firms toward night-time working or faster completion methods.

This makes Enfield a pioneer in the capital, becoming the first local authority to adopt a system that was previously only used on major TfL-managed "Red Routes." Similar schemes elsewhere in the UK have already shown a significant reduction in roadwork-related delays.

Revenue for road repairs

A key benefit for local residents in Enfield is where the money goes. Every penny collected from these lane rental fees must, by law, be reinvested into the borough’s transport network. The council has confirmed the funds will be used for:

• Pothole repairs and road surface improvements.

• Traffic flow enhancements to reduce bottlenecking.

• Infrastructure projects that benefit pedestrians and cyclists.

Leading the way for London

Cllr Rick Jewell, Cabinet Member for Transport and Waste Management at Enfield Council, expressed pride in the borough’s leadership. "We are proud that Enfield is the first borough in London to implement such an innovative approach to managing roadworks," he said. "The Lane Rental Scheme will help us keep traffic moving, reduce disruption for our residents, and ensure companies plan their work more responsibly."

For the large Turkish and Kurdish business community in Enfield, particularly those relying on timely deliveries and customer access along busy stretches like Green Lanes or the A10, this scheme promises more predictable journey times and better-maintained roads.

The council expects to roll out the scheme in full over the coming months, with specific details on affected routes to be shared with the public shortly.