Developers who block arterial roads in inner Melbourne will be charged thousands of dollars under a new trial starting on Friday.

The three-month trial means private developers who occupy arterial roads in the city of Yarra will incurr charges from $1200 to $1865, per lane, per week, depending on the level of traffic disruption.

“Drivers know how frustrating it is when construction clogs up road space, shutting lanes and causing bottlenecks across important routes – this trial will encourage them off the road, where possible, to keep traffic moving,” Roads Minister Luke Donnellan said on Tuesday.