Great start. But as currently conceived, the lane rental scheme doesn't go nearly far enough. Sure, charge more for rush-hour roadworks, but not nothing for off-peak-just as off-peak train tickets are cheaper, but not free. Under the regime as planned, frequently abandoned roadworks can still drag on indefinitely on side streets, and frugal utilities are bound to drag their weapons of mass destruction on to the pavements.

For TfL is not charging the archaeologically inclined anything for obstructing pavements, increasing the likelihood that these companies will transfer as much of the imposition as they can from motorists to pedestrians. Few roadworks configure a substitute pedestrian path, most merely announcing in rude red-and-white that the pavement is "closed" — meaning that we lowly bipeds are supposed to 1) nobly throw ourselves into traffic to reduce population growth; 2) spontaneously combust; 3) rent a private helicopter.

Though a laudable initial effort, the lane rental trial also fails to initiate any coordination between multiple companies who plan to turn the exact same segment of roadway into the site of a 200lb suicide bombing within weeks or even days of each other. I've sometimes thought London should stage a contest for Most Dug-Up Intersection Ever — perhaps awarding a memorial plaque (which would promptly get dug up). Why can't workmen from different companies muck about in the same hole?

Furthermore, utilities should be forced to confer with local councils, especially when planning routine, non-emergency upgrades. Repeatedly, a costly, publicly financed refurbishment — with freshly laid tarmac, fancy replacement paving stones, elaborate traffic-calming measures, newly planted trees — is no sooner completed than along comes EDF Energy. Poom-poom-poom-poom-poom! So much for that "improvement".