£25,000 fine for every day that roadworks overrun

Utility firms which overrun on works digging up roads face being hit with charges of up to £25,000 a day, the Standard reveals today.

They may also be forced to rent out a road lane, at a cost of thousands of pounds, to carry out works, under hardline plans by transport minister Sadiq Khan to tackle the "massive disruption" they cause on London streets.

In addition, Transport for London, as well as at least eight boroughs in the capital, are moving to introduce permit schemes to better regulate the laying and repairs of pipes and wires on the roads.

Tooting MP Mr Khan said: "I am fed up with excuses. Local authorities and utility companies must up their game."

Mr Khan today announced that Kent County Council has become the first local authority in England to adopt a permit scheme to enforce conditions such as deadlines.

But the Standard understands that ministers are considering far tougher penalties for firms if they fail to cut disruption, including overrun charges of up to £25,000 a day - 10 times the current level.