Changes to bus lanes in Hull should come into operation in March
They are due to only operate during rush hour
Changes to make Hull’s bus lanes only operate during rush hour are set to come into force shortly after changes in road signs in March, the council has said.
A Hull City Council decision record published today (Wednesday, January 17) stated four traffic regulation orders (TROs) to move away from all-day bus lanes have been drawn up.
Council Transport Portfolio Holder Cllr Mark Ieronimo said the changes were part of efforts to show they listening to people and acting in their interests.
But 46 objections have been lodged claiming it will put more cars on the roads, make cycling more difficult and undermine council commitments to cut emissions.
The changes are set to see bus lanes operate from 7am to 9.30am and from 4pm to 6.30pm in both directions.
This is except on the Carr Lane bus gate where they will operate 24 hours a day.
Works to change road signs on the bus lanes will begin in March, with the changes coming into force shortly afterwards.
Vehicles will also no longer be able to wait or load in the bus lanes in Holderness Road, Beverley Road and Spring Bank during those times.
The council stated it would make them safer for cyclists and more efficient for buses.
It comes after the council’s Cabinet backed the changes in October following a survey in which a majority of car and bus users, walkers and cyclists said they supported them.
A separate People’s Panel survey showed car and van users were more likely to support the changes than average, with the converse true for those travelling by bus, bicycle and on foot.
But council highways officers said at the time the changes were unlikely to make little difference to congestion on Hull roads.
The decision record stated the changes would be monitored closely and the council would look at other ways to promote bus travel.
It also stated that an increase in car use was not inevitable.
Objectors to the changes included cyclists, bus passengers and motorists as well as Hull Friends of the Earth and East Yorkshire Buses Managing Director Ben Gilligan.
They disputed that increasing road capacity would cut congestion, claimed it sent the wrong message about using cars versus bikes and buses and would make journeys on the latter longer.
The council responded stating it remains committed to its carbon net zero goals and to promoting public transport and cycling despite the changes.
Transport Portfolio Holder Cllr Ieronimo said the changes were an attempt to act on what people wanted.
Cllr Ieronimo said: “The council should be actively listening and valuing the views of its residents.
“When the bus lane operating times were changed initially, this didn’t happen, and the council has felt the backlash.
“On the bus lane operating times, residents must now feel that the council is listening to them and acting in their interests.”