The Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee of Lancashire County Council is scheduled to convene on Thursday, 17 September 2026. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on a proposed lane rental scheme, the council's approach to tree management, and a request to establish a task group focused on highways maintenance. Additionally, the committee will review its work programme for the upcoming year.

Lane Rental Scheme

A report is scheduled for discussion regarding the feasibility of implementing a lane rental scheme in Lancashire. This scheme, enabled by the Traffic Management Act 2004¹, would allow the county council to charge for works occupying busy roads during peak times, with the aim of reducing congestion and disruption. The feasibility study, conducted by consultants GeoPlace, suggests that such a scheme could significantly reduce the number of days works occupy the network and encourage behavioural changes like reducing work durations or shifting them to less disruptive times. The report outlines potential scenarios for behavioural change and the associated financial impacts, noting that charges should not be a revenue-raising tool but should be reinvested into highway maintenance and disruption reduction. The committee is asked to consider the findings of this study and formulate recommendations for the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Councillor Warren Goldsworthy, on the potential implementation of a lane rental scheme. The report also highlights the complexities introduced by potential local government reorganisation and outlines options for proceeding, including implementing a scheme solely for the county's network, extending it to cover all of Lancashire in collaboration with Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool, or pausing work until reorganisation plans are clearer.

Tree Management

The committee is set to review the council's current policy on tree management and replacement, as detailed in the Tree Asset Management Plan approved in December 2023. This plan covers highway trees, trees on operational properties, and those on recreational sites. The council has a duty of care to ensure its trees are safe, leading to proactive safety inspections. The report indicates a shift from a previous policy of not replacing felled highway trees to one that considers replacement planting, particularly for trees removed due to health or structural issues. The council also permits third parties, such as district or parish councils, or residents, to fund replacement tree planting. The report details the work of the externally funded Treescapes team, which has secured significant grant funding for tree planting and woodland creation projects. However, it notes that there are currently no dedicated corporate funds for replacing highway trees, with available funds focused on safety works. Funding for tree planting on operational land is generally dependent on specific project funding or external grants. The report also addresses the challenges posed by diseases such as Ash Dieback and Phytophthora ramorum, which have led to significant tree removals, and outlines the process for managing these situations, including the receipt of Statutory Plant Health Notices from the Forestry Commission.

Task Group Request: Highways Maintenance: Right First Time

A request to establish a task group to review highways maintenance and the right first time approach is on the agenda. This request stems from concerns raised by members about the volume of complaints and casework related to potholes and general highway maintenance. The report highlights that Lancashire's highway infrastructure is a significant asset, and ensuring repairs are carried out correctly the first time is a key challenge. The proposed task group would aim to assess whether the delivery of right first-time repairs under a new managed service contract has created a more modern, transparent, and accountable highway maintenance regime. The objectives include improving the prioritisation of work and reducing the number of complaints received. The committee is asked to consider this request and confirm the objectives and outcomes for the review, as detailed in Appendix 'A' of the report.

Environment, Economic Growth and Transport Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2026/27

The committee will consider and agree its work programme for the 2026/27 municipal year. This programme is a dynamic document that can be adapted to emerging priorities. The report outlines the planned topics for scrutiny, which align with the committee's responsibilities for climate change, the environment, highways and transport, and economic development and growth. The work programme includes pre-decision scrutiny of the lane rental scheme and tree management, as well as policy reviews and progress reports. The committee will also note formal written responses from Cabinet Members regarding previous recommendations on topics such as Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, Public Rights of Way Processes, Street Lighting column routine structural surveys, and the Gully Cleansing regime. Additionally, the committee will discuss and confirm key lines of enquiry for reports scheduled for the next meeting on 22 October 2026.