Bus lanes

Breaking news - consultation on motorcycles in bus lanes

Next week, the council is beginning a consultation on allowing motorcyclists to use additional bus lanes right across central London.

Starting on 6th March, the three-week consultation will allow people in the city to comment and debate the plans to ease congestion and improve safety for riders. The council will also establish an oversight group, including representatives from the cycling and motorbike communities.

The council piloted the scheme in 2005 and Transport for London followed with a pilot of its own in 2009, where motorcyclists could use lanes on its major route network (Red Route) – that has now been made permanent by the Mayor of London.

Statistics showed that traffic flow can be improved by allowing motorbikes into bus lanes so WCC is now looking to extend its own project further across all roads in the city.

So far, statistics from the TfL pilot studies have shown a 20 per cent improvement in traffic flow for motorbikes, whereas bus travel was completely unchanged including at stops.

Westminster City Council proposes to introduce a trial scheme in the following locations:

•          Abingdon Street/Millbank (southbound);

•          Buckingham Palace Road (northbound);

•          Harrow Road (northbound);

•          Regent Street (north and southbound);

•          Shaftesbury Avenue (north-eastbound);

•          Strand (north and southbound);

•          Queensway (northbound); and

•          Whitehall and Parliament Street (north and southbound).

If research during the scheme shows that safety has improved and congestion has been tackled the council will seek to make move a permanent one across the city.

The Delegated Authority to implement the trial may be downloaded here. Included in this document are plans of the locations where the trial will be taking place.

To comment on the proposals, please write to John Birch, West One, 10th Floor, Westminster City Hall,64 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP or email tmo@westonejv.co.uk by 26th March 2012

What's the current situation?

At present, only buses, bicycles, black cabs and vehicles with capacity for 8 or more passengers are allowed to drive or stop in a bus lane during its operational hours. Motorcycles are allowed in some bus lanes.

If you drive or stop in a bus lane when you are not allowed to do so, you may be issued with a PCN

Bus Lanes which allow motorcycles are at these locations:

• Cockspur Street - Eastbound
• Kensington Road / Kensington Gore
• Baker Street / Portman Square / Orchard Street
• Haymarket
• Bayswater Road
• Piccadilly - Eastbound
• Gloucester Place - Northbound

We have signs at the entry to the bus lanes showing which vehicles are allowed to use them. The bus lanes have special road surface markings and are given red tarmac so they are highly visible to motorists.

The Delegated Authority to implement the trial may be downloaded here.

Included in this document are plans of the locations where the trial will be taking place.

Here are some examples of the signs that tell you which vehicles are allowed in bus lanes during operational hours. You will still be able to cross the bus lane to reach an adjacent road.

 

 

 

 

Penatly Charge Notices

If you receive an Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) through the post, please do not ignore it. Motorists will be given an opportunity to either pay the PCN or challenge it in writing. View more information on PCN payments and challenges.