Wakefield lane rental scheme
Helping to reduce disruption on Wakefield roads
The Wakefield Lane Rental Scheme helps reduce disruption on Wakefield roads.
The scheme applies charges on the busiest roads at the busiest times. This encourages better planning, faster completion of works, and better journeys for everyone who uses the road network.
The Wakefield Lane Rental Scheme works alongside the Wakefield Permit Scheme. It only applies to selected roads in the district.
About Wakefield lane rental scheme
The Wakefield Lane Rental Scheme aims to reduce disruption from road and street works on the busiest and most traffic-sensitive parts of the highway network.
The scheme applies daily charges to certain works on selected roads and at selected times. The aim is to encourage utility companies, contractors, developers, and highway authorities to plan and carry out works in a way that reduces disruption, improves journey reliability, and helps keep Wakefield moving.
The scheme supports Wakefield Council's duty to coordinate road and street works and manage the highway network. It also supports the Connecting Wakefield Transport Vision and wider transport goals across West Yorkshire.
What is lane rental?
Lane Rental allows a highway authority to charge works promoters for carrying out works on the busiest roads at the busiest times.
It aims to encourage works promoters to:
- plan works more effectively
- complete works more quickly
- use less road space
- work with other organisations
- use new and less disruptive ways of working
- avoid traffic-sensitive times where possible
The scheme works alongside the Wakefield Permit Scheme. It does not replace existing permit requirements.
Why have we developed the scheme?
The Wakefield Lane Rental Scheme has been developed to:
- reduce congestion and disruption caused by roadworks
- encourage quicker completion of works
- improve planning and coordination on the highway
- promote joint working between highway authorities and utility companies
- encourage innovation and less disruptive ways of working
- improve journey reliability for residents, businesses, and visitors
- support environmental improvements by reducing disruption on the highway network
How the scheme works
Lane Rental charges may apply where works:
- take place on a designated Lane Rental street
- take place during chargeable, traffic-sensitive times
- affect traffic flow on the carriageway
Charges may not apply where there is little or no impact on traffic flow.
There is no separate Lane Rental application process. Works promoters should continue to use the usual permit, Section 50, or Section 278 application processes where needed.
Charges are designed to be avoidable through better planning, joint working, and less disruptive working methods. Wakefield Council may reduce or remove charges in some cases, as set out in the Scheme and Charges Policy.
Lane rental network
The scheme applies only to designated streets and specified times. It does not apply to the whole highway network.
You can find more information in the approved scheme documents and supporting maps.
Scheme Documents
- Wakefield lane rental scheme document
- charges policy and table
- operational guidance
- evaluation plan
- lane rental streets list
- interactive lane rental map
- environmental health form
- waiver form
Out-of-hours working and environmental health
For out-of-hours work, the works promoter must notify Wakefield Council.
The notification must include:
- a plan showing the work location
- the nearest noise-sensitive properties
- an assessment of expected noise impacts
- details of the measures that will reduce noise and disturbance
Notification must be made using the Out-of-Hours Working Environmental Health Impact Pro-Forma.
To help ensure a consistent approach across Wakefield, notification should be made where work on the highway is likely to be heard outside the site boundary and will take place:
- Before 7:30am or after 11pm, Monday to Friday.
- Before 8am or after 1pm on Saturdays.
- At any time on Sundays or Public Holidays.
Wakefield Council requires a completed pro-forma to be submitted with the relevant permit application. A copy of the pro-forma is available in the Scheme Documents section of this webpage.
Parity and Fairness
Wakefield Council will apply the same Lane Rental rules to its own works and to works carried out on its behalf.
This helps ensure the scheme is fair and consistent for all works promoters.
Lane rental surplus fund
Any surplus income from the scheme will be reinvested in line with national legislation and guidance.
This funding will support highway maintenance and projects that:
- reduce disruption from road and street works
- improve network management
- encourage innovation
More information about the Wakefield Lane Rental Surplus Fund and its management arrangements will be published in due course.
Scheme Update
July 2026
The Secretary of State has approved the Wakefield Lane Rental Scheme and implementation work is now underway.
The Council is preparing the final scheme documents, updating maps and systems, working with stakeholders, and completing the arrangements needed before the scheme becomes fully operational.
Contact Us
For enquiries about the Wakefield Lane Rental Scheme:
Email: Streetworksteam@wakefield.gov.uk
For information on current and planned roadworks in Wakefield, visit: