No-Dig Technology ideal to minimise new TfL charges

[16/03/2012]

An innovative scheme to help reduce disruption caused by road works on London's busiest roads was given the go-ahead today by Transport Secretary Justine Greening.

The Transport for London scheme - the first of its kind in Britain - paves the way for large cost savings to be made by using the Fernco Pipe Doctor system, and other trenchless infrastructure repair systems. The scheme will start in June, when TfL will be able to charge utility companies up to £2,500 a day to dig up the busiest roads during peak times when road works cause the most disruption. This will incentivise utility firms to carry out their works more quickly and at times when roads are quieter.

Companies would be able to avoid the charges by carrying out works during less busy periods or, if appropriate, at night.  In order to gather evidence on the effectiveness of lane rental, the Department for Transport has proposed that there should be up to three pioneer areas and is inviting applications from two more interested local authorities. Successful pioneer areas will need to have exhausted other options, including using a permit scheme and their lane rental schemes will have to be evaluated annually. 

The guidance which accompanies the new powers makes it clear that lane rental charges must be avoidable and proportionate to the costs of congestion. Any revenue raised from the implementation of lane rental charges will have to be used to fund measures which could help to reduce future road works disruption. This could include infrastructure work, research or measures to improve the management of works.

The Fernco Pipe Doctor range is an ideal tool for minimising disruption during repair of underground drainage infrastructure - localised repair of any pipeline carrying non-potable water up to a 600mm diameter is possible without the need for excavation. Use of the system would mean these charges imposed by TfL would be brought to a minimum, or even eliminated.

For more information on the system, click here to visit our product page, contact us using our Contact Form, or call our office on 01226 340 222.

Further information on the trenchless repair industry can be found at UK Society for Trenchless Technologies (UKSTT) website - www.ukstt.org.uk .

Categories: N/A

Tags: N/A