THE council opted out of a new permit scheme for companies wanting to dig up roads because it wants to see whether it works elsewhere first, a cabinet member has said.
Transport for London (TfL) has announced that companies will have to apply for a permit to dig up roads in 18 London boroughs under a new initiative 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 be charged a daily rental rate.
Waltham Forest Council was invited to take part in the scheme, but declined to do so.
Cllr Bob Belam, cabinet member for environment, said: “We want to ensure any scheme we enter works quickly and effectively before introducing it in Waltham Forest and will be closely monitoring this project to see how well it works and whether it would prove effective in Waltham Forest."
The permit scheme, according to Mayor of London Boris Johnson, will encourage companies to manage their time efficiently and allow TfL to co-ordinate timings of roadworks.
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