UTILITY companies will have to apply for a permit to dig up the borough's roads under a new scheme aimed at reducing inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians.

Companies currently pay a one-off charge to dig up a road but from January 11 they will need to apply for a permit and be charged a daily rental rate.

Redbridge is one of 18 London boroughs involved in the scheme.

The scheme, according to Mayor of London Boris Johnson will encourage companies to manage their time more effectively and allow Transport for London to more effectively co-ordinate the timing of roadworks.

Mr Johnson said: “'This is long overdue.

“Drivers in London have too often been the victims of unnecessary roadworks, forced to sit stationary in traffic-clogged frustration caused by work sites reminiscent of the Mary Celeste.

'If companies want to dig up the roads, they must do so in a coordinated manner that causes the minimum disruption to London.”

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