Utility companies digging up Brighton and Hove's busiest roads could be charged up to £2,500 a day under a lane rental scheme that councillors will be updated on at Cabinet on Thursday 12 November, according to the council's Cabinet papers and a statement issued by Brighton & Hove City Council on 6 November 2026.
The council says the scheme is designed to encourage utility companies to complete works more quickly, coordinate projects more effectively and reduce the impact of roadworks on people travelling around the city.
What lane rental would change
At the moment, the council says the maximum penalty for breaching permit conditions is just £120 per day. Under a lane rental scheme, companies could face charges of up to £2,500 per day for working on the busiest roads during peak hours.
The council receives around 20,000 permit applications each year for work on the city's road network, from gas, water, electricity and telecommunications companies as well as council teams and contractors.
It says emergency roadworks in Brighton and Hove currently take around 20 days on average to complete, compared with an average of between two and five days in areas that operate lane rental. The council points to schemes already introduced in Kent and London.
The idea is the same as GOV.UK describes: a scheme that lets a local highway authority charge works promoters for the time street and road works occupy the highway. Nearby, West Sussex County Council's scheme has been in force since December 2022.
Which roads would be covered
The council's February 2026 Cabinet report says lane rental would only apply to the busiest 10% of the network, in line with Department for Transport guidance. Day rate charges of up to £2,500 would apply on the most traffic-sensitive roads at the busiest times, and works promoters would have to be notified 12 weeks before the scheme starts.
Where the money would go
The council says any income would be reinvested into transport projects across Brighton and Hove. The February report estimated annual income of £1.1m to £1.6m, based on previously developed schemes, against running costs of about £0.36m a year for extra staff, enforcement and operations.
It also said 50% of the income would be ringfenced for highway maintenance, with the other 50% allocated by a Surplus Fund Board.
"Roadworks are one of the biggest causes of frustration for residents and can have a significant impact on local businesses and journeys across the city. A lane rental scheme would encourage utility companies and contractors to work more efficiently, coordinate better with one another and complete works more quickly, helping to keep Brighton & Hove moving."
Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure
Timeline
February 2026. Cabinet approved the development, application to the Secretary of State and implementation of a lane rental scheme, according to the Cabinet report.
Since then. A Lane Rental Development group of industry volunteers has helped design the scheme, and the required formal consultation has taken place. The scheme documents are now being written up.
November 2026. The council says it is on track to send the scheme to the Secretary of State this month.
Spring 2027. Subject to approval from the Secretary of State, the scheme could start as early as spring 2027. The Cabinet report on 12 November asks Cabinet only to note the update. No decision on lane rental is being sought at the meeting.
Digital Twin and pavement parking
The same report gives two other updates on how the council manages the transport network.
It is developing a digital traffic twin to improve bus reliability along Lewes Road, Preston Circus and Valley Gardens, using live traffic signal detectors and bus data. A bid to the Sussex Strategic Authority was submitted on 21 September 2026 which, if successful, would extend it across the wider city.
Officers are also watching for new pavement parking powers. The first, covering unnecessary obstruction of the pavement, is expected late in 2026. The second, an area wide ban on pavement parking, will follow in later legislation. The report says the council will assess both once the legislation and guidance are in place.
Same Cabinet meeting
The same report sets out a new citywide policy on camera enforcement of traffic restrictions, with proposals for five junctions. We have the full details of the camera enforcement plans and consultation results.
On the roads themselves, see our guide to the 2026/27 road maintenance programme, and the £1.4m government roads award.
Cabinet meets on Thursday 12 November at 10.30am. The agenda and reports are on the council's website, and the February 2026 lane rental report sets out the scheme in more detail.
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