New officials – dubbed “Traffic Tsars” are to be at the centre of Government plans to reduce congestion on the UK's roads, a Government minister has revealed.

Speaking at a transport conference at the RAC Club in London yesterday, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling admitted that the worsening problem of traffic congestion was putting jobs at risk. And he unveiled a new Government strategy to tackle the problem. This includes:

  • The appointment of traffic tsars or 'Traffic Managers' with legally-enforceable powers to keep the traffic flowing – including powers over road-digging and maintenance work.
  • Tough new controls over the activities of utility firms which dig up roads. This includes the power to charge them £500 per day for “lane rental” – and substantial fines for breaches of strict new terms linked to road digging permits.