Companies should be charged for digging up our roads, according to councillors.

Brighton and Hove City Council has been urged to consider charging companies for permits to close roads to ensure works are completed as quickly as possible.

The Conservative group on the city council claims traffic chaos has reduced in parts of London where this scheme has been introduced.

Conservative leader Geoffrey Theobald said: “I’m sure residents know how deeply frustrating it can be when you have to sit in a seemingly permanent traffic jam, unable to get to work or drop the children off at school, because the utilities are digging up the road.

“We are calling on the Green administration to look at how they (the companies) can be incentivised to carry out works at times when they will cause much less disruption to local people going about their everyday business.

“I hope that this will be welcomed by everyone in the city.”

The Tories will present a motion at the full council meeting next Thursday.

Councillor Andrew Wealls, who is proposing the motion, said: “Clearly roadworks are necessary in order to provide and maintain the essential services and transport networks on which the residents of Brighton and Hove depend.

For the full story see today's Argus.

Every day we will update the Roadworks Watch map above. You can let us know of any problems on our commute by emailing news@theargus.co.uk or call the newsdesk on 01273 544519.