Ealing Council to Consult on Lane Rental Plans

Aiming to join TfL scheme to charge utilities for digging up roads

A traffic jam due to roadworks in the borough of Ealing . Picture: Ealing Council

January 27, 2026

Ealing Council has launched a public consultation on plans to introduce a lane rental scheme on some of the borough’s busiest roads — just days after Transport for London (TfL) unveiled a major new capital-wide strategy to expand lane rental and modernise how London’s streets are managed.

The proposals would allow Ealing to charge utility companies and other organisations a daily fee for carrying out works on key routes, with charges varying depending on how heavily a road is used. The aim is to cut congestion, reduce delays and encourage faster, better coordinated roadworks.

Residents, businesses and road users can have their say until midnight on Monday 23 February, with full details, including a map and list of affected roads, available on the council’s website.

If approved, Ealing’s scheme would form part of a wider London-wide expansion of lane rental, following TfL’s announcement of its new five-year “London on the move” strategy — the first ever network-wide plan covering all of London’s highways.

Lane rental schemes are designed to reduce disruption by charging organisations for occupying busy roads, particularly at peak times. The approach is intended to encourage companies to plan works outside peak traffic periods, complete works more quickly and coordinate with other utilities so roads are not repeatedly dug up.

Ealing Council said the proposals support its transport strategy and the Mayor of London’s wider ambitions to reduce congestion, improve reliability and support greener travel.

Councillor Paul Driscoll, Ealing’s cabinet member for climate action, said, “The proposal is about making day-to-day travel easier for everyone. While roadworks are a necessity, disruption should be kept to a minimum where possible.

“By asking companies to plan better and finish faster, we can cut delays, support local businesses and help make our borough cleaner and greener.”

TfL’s recent announcement set out plans to expand its pioneering lane rental scheme beyond red routes and onto borough roads across London.

Under the TfL programme, utility companies are charged to dig up the busiest roads at the busiest times, with the aim of cutting congestion, improving air quality and funding new technology to better manage traffic.

As of January 2026, four boroughs — Camden, Enfield, Lambeth and Merton — have already received Department for Transport approval for their own schemes, with a further 22 boroughs progressing applications. Ealing is now moving towards joining that group.

TfL has also said the Government is in the process of devolving powers to the Mayor of London to approve lane rental schemes, which would allow for faster, more consistent rollout across the capital.

The “London on the move” strategy includes major investments in technology and traffic management, including:

• upgrades to TfL’s FUSION traffic control system, using more data and computing power to cut delays
• expanded use of AI-enabled Vivacity cameras to better understand how people and vehicles move around the city
• accelerated bus priority measures at traffic signals
• improved coordination of major roadworks through schemes such as BusSense

TfL estimates that some of these changes could reduce delays by up to 14 per cent and deliver up to £1 billion in benefits through reduced journey times.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the strategy would tackle congestion “head on” and support his ambition for 80 per cent of journeys to be made by walking, cycling or public transport.

Following the close of Ealing’s consultation in February, the council will publish a report and seek final approval from the Department for Transport before any scheme can be introduced.

If approved, Ealing says it will work closely with TfL and neighbouring boroughs to ensure a consistent approach across London.