Cambridgeshire County Council is taking firm action to reduce disruption on the county’s roads, issuing fines totalling £483,000 to utility companies and developers for non-compliant and over-running roadworks during 2024–25.
In total, the council processed more than 32,000 street and roadwork permits last year, regulating when and how works can take place on the highway.
Of the total fines:
- £185,000 was issued through Fixed Penalty Notices for 1,655 offences, including works that lacked a valid permit or breached the conditions of their permit.
- A further £298,000 was recovered from 201 works that overran, resulting in 1,191 extra days of disruption for road users and residents.
In Cambridgeshire there are 51 utility companies that are entitled to work on our roads – and when that work is deemed an emergency they can legally start work even before notifying the council.
However, as the highways authority, the council does have powers to challenge how long emergency and urgent works remain in place. In 2024-25:
- Over 1,460 emergency permits were challenged for requesting excessive duration – more than 25% of all emergency permits.
- 254 immediate permit applications were rejected where they did not meet the legal criteria for emergency status.
Cllr Alex Beckett, chair of the Highways and Transport Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “I know that many people are frustrated by roadworks across the county, but I’d like to reassure them we’re doing everything within our powers to soften the impact on Cambridgeshire’s communities and businesses.
“Fully preventing disruption isn’t possible as utility companies and developers have a legal right to carry out work on our roads – especially in emergencies. These powers are necessary to protect public safety and essential services, but they aren’t beyond challenge.
“Where we do have powers, we are using them. We are rejecting poorly planned permits, issuing fines for non-compliance, and holding those responsible to account – last year’s figures show we’re not afraid to take action.
“We will continue to press for better planning and performance from companies working on our roads, because our residents deserve nothing less. And, we’ll continue to explore how we can do more – driving up standards and reducing unnecessary disruption across the county.
“One option we’re currently exploring is a ‘lane rental scheme’, which would allow us to charge companies for the time that roadworks occupy the highway – with higher charges for works on the busiest streets at the busiest times. We’re currently talking to other authorities about their experiences of Lane Rental.”
