Introduction
East Sussex County Council (ESCC) has started a Lane Rental Scheme. This aims to reduce disruption from road works on busy roads. The scheme started in April 2025 and follows DfT guidelines. It works with the East Sussex Permit Scheme to make roadwork planning and organisation better.
Lane Rental Surplus Fund
Any extra income from the scheme goes into the Lane Rental Surplus Fund. This fund supports projects that lessen disruptions and enhance roadwork planning in East Sussex. We welcome applications from organisations that have ideas which support either of these goals.
Apply for the lane rental surplus fund by emailing lanerental@eastsussex.gov.uk
Background
The East Sussex Permit Scheme helps manage the road network by managing activities that use road space. This includes highway maintenance, utility work, new developments and public events. By improving coordination, the scheme keeps traffic moving and reduces disruption. ESCC started the Lane Rental Scheme on the busiest East Sussex roads. The aim of the scheme is to ease congestion and reduce the impact of roadworks.
What is a lane rental scheme?
The East Sussex Lane Rental Scheme helps speed up road works with a daily fee. This approach reduces disruption.
A fee of up to £2,500 applies for work on busy roads during peak times.
The scheme helps ease congestion and improves journeys in East Sussex.
How does the scheme work?
The Lane Rental Scheme works alongside the East Sussex Permit Scheme. It applies only to certain roads, covering about 5.9% of roads in East Sussex, focusing on the busiest routes. The list of roads is reviewed annually for effectiveness. Charges apply for work done during chargeable times. However, no fee is charged for work outside these hours. The scheme encourages organisations to:
- Plan work outside peak hours
- Complete work efficiently and to high standards
- Minimise traffic impact and road occupation time
- Collaborate with others to reduce road use
Emergency work to prevent danger or serious property damage is free for the first 48 hours.
Map
The map below shows the roads included in the East Sussex Lane Rental Scheme. Each road has a Unique Street Reference Number (USRN). This is an 8-digit identifier for streets in Great Britain. The map is for guidance only, as the scheme may apply to part of a road, not its entire length.
You can download and view a list of the lane rental roads here.
Applications to work on lane rental roads
No separate application is needed for the Lane Rental Scheme. The street works system will show when a road has lane rental charges. Any relevant details should be included in the permit application.
Governance
Following government rules, all income from the scheme covers its running costs. Surplus funds are saved and reinvested in the road network. This improves management and reduces disruption in East Sussex.
Supporting documentation