Mark Francois MP, who introduced a Bill into Parliament last year - aimed to reduce congestion caused by Roadworks - has welcomed the announcement this morning of similar proposals by the Government.
Mark met with the previous Roads Minister, Richard Holden MP last year, to brief him on his Roadworks (Regulation) Bill, which was designed to tighten the issuing of permits for Roadworks, whilst meaningfully increasing fines for those that overrun. Following that meeting, the Minister gave his public support to Mark’s associated “Can the Cones” campaign and said the Government would consider adopting at least some of the Bill’s proposals.
In introducing the Bill, back in March 2023, Mark said:
“Although it is rare for Ten Minute Rule Bills to make it onto the statute book, I do hope that during my meeting with the Roads Minister, Richard Holden MP, the Department may adopt the legislation, or at the very least, strengthen government guidance, so that we can finally ‘Can the Cones!’
Today’s announcement from the new Roads Minister, Guy Opperman MP, extends potential fines to weekends and bank holidays (previously they only applied on weekdays), whilst increasing their value and diverting revenues from ‘lane rental schemes’ to filling in potholes.
Commenting on today’s Roadworks announcement, Mark said:
“I am delighted the Government are now publicly committed to tackling the menace of over-running Roadworks, including some measures which were in my original Bill. I fully support these proposals which should help towards ‘canning the cones’ that so often disrupt our everyday lives and I look forward to debating them further in Parliament, shortly.”
