Fishergate’s controversial bus lane is to stay in place until Easter.
AdvertisementThe man in charge of Preston’s highways had said the bus lane cameras were being reviewed and could be dismantled sooner.
But Lancashire County Council now say the bus lane between Mount Street and Corporation Street is to be reviewed AFTER April – six months into its trial period.
Cabinet member for highways and transport county councillor John Fillis said: “It’s clear that the changes we introduced had a big effect in reducing traffic levels on Fishergate in the run-up to Christmas.
“Correspondence with local stakeholders suggests that there is a growing consensus that the measures worked. Given that the original plan was to trial the bus lane for up to 18 months, I’ve decided that the bus lane should stay at least until we are able to assess how the changes work at different times of year.
“Once we’ve looked carefully at the positives and negatives that have come from these changes, we’ll consider the next steps.”
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The cameras are still in use and Preston drivers have been continuing to receive penalty notices of £60 if they use them.
The county council has also confirmed the no right hand turn bus lane from Butler Street into Fishergate is a permanent change and they have no plans to remove it.
All the changes to priorities in Mount Street and other roads also remain in force until April.
Read more: College student has Fishergate fine waived
Introducing the bus lanes has netted the county council thousands of pounds a week in fines, with the first full week of operation seeing nearly 8,000 fines issued.
County councillor Fillis is also planning to introduce a second bus lane in the city centre, down Tithebarn Street. He then said he was going to consult further with councillors on the proposal for the bus-only lane and changes to the road system near Preston Bus Station – although the decision still stands as no councillors called-in the decision.
Leader of Preston City Council councillor Peter Rankin called for an end to ‘piecemeal’ tackling of the city’s congestion.
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