East Lancashire MP Andy MacNae has called for tough new government action to tackle the "incessant and disruptive" roadworks which are hitting businesses in his seat.

He told a special debate on the issue in the House of Commons' second Westminster Hall chamber: "In my constituency of Rossendale and Darwen, single trunk roads serve the vast majority of the constituency.

"Residents and businesses are delayed and constrained daily by the incessant roadworks they face, to the extent that several of the major employers in the Valley, on which we are entirely reliant, are threatening to leave or considering leaving the area because of the costs to their business that the relentless roadworks impose.

"The situation is a constraint on growth and on people’s everyday lives.

"It would be fair to say there is a complete consensus something must change, yet we are constrained by the previous legislation.

"There is a limit on the amount that can be charged as fixed-penalty notices for street works that overrun or do not follow their permits, and a limit on the approach to lane rental schemes to five per cent of a given local authority’s road network, but those are relatively straightforward things to change.

"I hope that we can make relatively straightforward changes and give our communities and our businesses the boost they need for roadworks that are properly managed and regulated, with proper and effective penalties for overruns that are, in many cases, inexcusable."

Junior transport minister Lilian Greenwood said: "We will constantly look at how we regulate roadworks to see if further improvements can be made for the benefit of everyone who uses our roads—drivers, bikers, cyclists, pedestrians, and so on.

"We plan to look at how urgent or emergency works, which I recognise cause particular difficulties, can be planned and co-ordinated more effectively."

Mr MacNae returned to the issue during Business Questions in the main Commons chamber the following day.

He told Leader of the House Lucy Powell: "Businesses and commuters in Rossendale and Darwen are hampered daily by seemingly never-ending disruptive roadworks.

"This is not just an annoyance; it is actively holding back growth in the constituency, with major employers considering relocation.

"Do you agree that now is the time to properly address poorly planned and overrunning roadworks?"

Mrs Powell replied: "I know that it frustrates many constituents and MPs alike when roadworks are seemingly endless and not co-ordinated.

"We are consulting on proposals to increase penalties, and even apply charges when works overrun."