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Fishergate bus lane is staying until April

Posted on - 9th January, 2017 - 8:11pm | Author - | Posted in - Business, Preston City Centre, Preston News, Roads, Transport
The new bus lane cameras at the end of Fishergate. £60 if you break the rules. Pic: Tony Worrall

The new bus lane cameras at the end of Fishergate. £60 if you break the rules. Pic: Tony Worrall

Fishergate’s controversial bus lane is to stay in place until Easter.

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The 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.

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“We normally carry out a formal review of trial orders at the end of the six-month consultation period, which will be in April. Between now and then we will carefully consider the feedback we received from businesses and the public.

“Once we’ve looked carefully at the positives and negatives that have come from these changes, we’ll consider the next steps.”

Read more: This Preston city centre road is being used as a rat-run

The cameras are still in use and Preston drivers have been continuing to receive penalty notices of £60 if they use them.

One of the new signs about the change in layout at Fishergate as you leave the station Pic: Tony Worrall

One of the new signs about the change in layout at Fishergate as you leave the station Pic: Tony Worrall

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.

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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.

How you can give your views to the county council

There’s a dedicated email address to let the county council know your views on the Fishergate bus lane

You can also let us know your views in the comments below and let your feelings known in the poll below


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