HIGHWAY bosses are set to introduce special measures to stop major disruption and congestion with a new permit scheme to control when, where and how utility companies dig up the roads.

North Yorkshire County Council is consulting on new plans to give out permits which will have to be paid for to carry out work on the roads.

At the moment organisations, such as gas, electric, telecoms and water companies, must notify the county council about work they intend to carry out but the authorityl can only offer direction and impose penalties if the company breaches conditions and has little control over when the work is done.

The plan is the council will authorise all works on the highway to try and make sure that works in the same area don’t clash and where possible jobs are done outside peak times or avoid busy times of year. It will also be able to impose conditions, requiring equipment and signs to be removed quickly after work is done..

Variations to permits will need to be approved by the council, which will impose penalties for breaches or for working without one. Charges will vary depending on the scale of work, with discounts to give incentives for doing work outside peak times and for collaboration with other utilities. The authority will also be able to monitor more closely how the road is repaired.

Assistant director highways Barrie Mason said: “It is about better control and management of the road network with a view to reducing congestion and delays and, as a result, reducing emissions.

“The scheme won’t necessarily mean there will be fewer works on the road. We recognise that these works are essential to deliver the services provided by utility companies.

“The aim is to ensure these are done with the least impact. The council will be able to develop its controls to ensure works are carried out to minimises inconvenience to road users and, over time, we would expect to see works on the road for shorter periods.”

The county council is consulting utility companies and stakeholders on the scheme which is expected to pay for itself. They have until August 7 to have their say before the authority considers alterations to the scheme which is due to be introduced in November. For information go to northyorks.gov.uk/consultations.