The UK Transport Department has approved the first ever road works permit scheme that will offer a series of measures to tackle the disruption caused by road works.

According to the department, the scheme will empower the county council to co-ordinate road works and take stern action against the defaulters for road works overrun.

The scheme allows construction bodies to apply for a permit to the council, which they will work with to determine how much space should be left for the road users during construction.

The council is allowed to penalise companies with a £5,000 fine for working without a permit, and not meeting a permit condition will cost the defaulters £2,500.

Compulsory tests, knowledge assessment and training programmes for contractors every five years have been planned to minimise disruption.