Bus lane restrictions to switch to peak hours only

CHANGE: The current bus lane signage in Spring Bank

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

The operating hours of Hull’s bus lanes are set to change after a decision record published by the city council confirmed four traffic regulation orders.

It means the bus lanes will operate between 7am and 9.30am, and from 4pm to 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday, a change from their current operation of between 7am and 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday.

The council did not give a date for when the changes would come into effect, but said it would be after new signage was installed in March.

Restrictions on the Carr Lane “bus gate” in the city centre will not be affected and will remain in operation 24 hours a day.

The orders have also amended the prohibition of waiting and loading restrictions on Holderness Road, Beverley Road and Spring Bank during peak hours. The council said the intention was “to remove the ability for vehicles to wait or load within the bus lanes during peak times making the operation of the bus lanes more efficient and safer for cyclists”.

The authority received 46 objections to the changes, which it said had been “considered and responded to”.

The changes follow Hull’s biggest transport survey, which had more 20,000 responses, with a majority indicating they wanted bus lanes to be operational at peak times only.

Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, said: “The Lib Dems promised to be a council that listened to local people. After the overwhelming results of the 2022 Transport Survey, we are acting on what residents said they wanted for the city.

“Real change takes time. Labour rushed through changes and created a real sorry saga for our city. They gridlocked Hull's roads and stalled this city, but now the Liberal Democrats are fixing their mess.

“We know this has been one of the biggest local issues Hull has seen in some time but we are now so close to delivering change and moving forward.”

However, East Yorkshire Buses, one of the region’s leading transport operators, said it was “very disappointed” by the decision.

‘DISAPPOINTED’: Ben Gilligan, managing director of East Yorkshire Buses

The company said: “This decision is surprising, especially considering that it comes from a Liberal Democrat-led council, given the party’s commitment to sustainable transport.

“At the Liberal Democrat conference last year, the party emphasized the importance of buses and an accessible and affordable mode of public transport, pledging support to local authorities in increasing public transport usage.

“Furthermore, Hull City Council’s 2030 Carbon Neutral Strategy identifies mobility as one of its eight key themes, focusing on enabling a shift to sustainable travel. As part of this strategy, the city’s mobility system has to actively support and enable sustainable travel as a priority.

“The reduction in bus lane provisions contradicts the city’s own strategies by hindering consistent and attractive journey times and impending the efficiency of the bus network.”

Ben Gilligan, managing director of East Yorkshire Buses, said: “Public transport is a very efficient use of road space, and a double decker bus can take up to 75 single occupancy cars off the road, making a substantial difference to congestion levels within the city.

“We are very disappointed to learn of Hull City Council’s movement to reduce bus lane operations.

“We will continue to work in partnership with the city council to deliver the best outcomes for our customers who will be most affected by this change.”