A ROADWORKS permit scheme could soon be introduced to reduce disruption.

Brighton and Hove City Council hopes the scheme will give it more control over management of works in the city.

Under the scheme operators would have to book time on the highway through a permit.

Currently they only have to give the council notice of their intention to carry out roadworks, which limits council control of how and when they take place.

Councillor Pete West, chairman of the environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “Roadworks are necessary but they do affect communities through congestion, delay and environmental impact.

“The proposed permit scheme will help us manage roadworks in a more co-ordinated way.

“It will ease disruption by better planning for when works take place and more control while work is going on.”

Similar schemes operate in London and Kent. Councillors decide tomorrow whether to go ahead with the idea.

If it gets Goverment approval the scheme could come into operation next year. Permits fees will cover running costs.