New scheme to charge for roadworks on Poole's busiest roads
7 August 2026 · By Boroughly editorial — AI-assisted, human-reviewed.
Drivers in Poole and across the wider BCP area could soon see fewer prolonged roadworks thanks to government approval of a Local Lane Rental Scheme (LLRS) for the conurbation.
Under the scheme, utility companies and contractors carrying out roadworks on the busiest roads will face a daily charge — creating a financial incentive to complete work faster, schedule it during off-peak hours, and coordinate more effectively with the council. The charges apply to both council and contractor works.
Income from the scheme is ringfenced: the surplus is split, with 50 per cent reinvested into road maintenance and further measures to reduce disruption. The scheme has already been running in West Sussex, where it delivered measurable reductions in congestion and the average duration of roadworks in its first 16 months.
The approval is relevant for anyone who regularly uses Poole's main routes, where utility and infrastructure works have historically caused bottlenecks. The council has not yet confirmed a start date for the local scheme, but the formal government green-light means implementation can now proceed. BCP Council: Green-light for new powers to significantly cut roadwork disruption across BCP