Regional and Local Transport Minister Norman Baker has urged local authorities to consider the use of permit schemes that help to reduce the disruption caused by road works.
Councils get more power to coordinate road works by road works permit schemes and once a scheme is in place utility companies and local authorities must abide by strict conditions including time limits, coordination or the amount of road space to be left available to road users during the works.
Prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000 can be faced by anyone who breaks the terms of their permit or works without a permit.
The letter sent to councils today also outlines plans to make the permit scheme application process less bureaucratic and costly by allowing councils to introduce schemes without needing to seek approval from central government.
"Some road works are necessary to keep vital infrastructure running but they should be managed so that the public aren't constantly inconvenienced. That is why I have written to councils today urging them to develop permit schemes to help them co-ordinate works and reduce the hassle and frustration caused by road works. We are also working to make it easier for councils to use the powers at their disposal to cut road works disruption by cutting the red tape they need to get through to put permit schemes in place," said Norman Baker.