Heavitree bus lane could be for peak hours only

Transport activists and motorists have split opinions

Public transport campaigners in Exeter are calling for a busy city centre bus lane to have its hours extended.

Devon County Council’s Exeter highways and traffic orders committee meets next week to vote on a move to have the Heavitree bus lane operating for just six hours a day instead of the twelve that activists want.

But campaigners say shorter hours won’t encourage people to catch buses. “Why would you take a bus if it’s stuck in the same traffic as the cars?” said a spokesman.

But traders with businesses around Fore Street, Heavitree say the change of sentiment and allowing motorists to use more of the road through the day is good news for them.

The Heavitree bus lane is part of a multi-million-pound project to streamline the city’s bus links and give drivers an incentive to find an alternative to private cars. The aim is to cut congestion, pollution and carbon emissions.

The original proposal was for the bus lane to operate from 7am to 7pm, but after public consultation and hundreds of objections, the proposal now is for 7am to 10am and from 4pm to 7pm every day Sundays.

Campaign group Exeter Streets For People says buses barely move at walking pace in Heavitree when the bus lane isn’t in use.

Spokesperson Lorna Devenish said: “We call on councillors to be led by the data and look in detail at when bus lanes will have the most impact on bus reliability and journeys home from school.

“The data strongly suggests the benefit of extended bus lane operating hours for the full 12 hours originally proposed.

“A bus lane which starts at 4pm will not benefit children and families travelling home from school by bus. Looking at the data leads directly to the conclusion that the bus lane must be enforced for 12 hours a day to make a real impact on bus journey times, reliability, and encouraging people to switch from cars to buses. Why would you take a bus if it’s stuck in the same traffic as the cars?”

Campaigners suggest compromises including a 12-hour bus lane with exemptions for deliveries and limited free parking near local shops.

Ms Devenish went on: “We are disappointed that the current recommendation waters down the original proposals to the detriment of young, elderly and disabled people who rely on buses to get to work, college and the shops. 

“Traffic in Devon is increasing at a rate of five per cent a year. It will not be long before our roads are permanently gridlocked. Exeter is expanding fast, and many car-dependent housing estates have been built both east and west of the city.

“We need our councils to step up to the actual challenge of congestion and take bold action to improve public transport and make it an attractive option for everyone.”