Wicker Bus Gate

Councillors have agreed to consider relaxing the law on a 24 hour bus lane which penalises drivers with fines of up to £60.

The Wicker bus lane which picked up £100,000 in car fines within the first 7 weeks of implementation, was discussed at the City centre, south and east planning and area board meeting. A total of 2047 people have signed a petition to support a change in the current 24 hour operation.

Local business people and residents were present at the meeting, to discuss the current bus lane enforcement. Mrs. Bennett from Wicker Pharmacy spoke on behalf of businesses based in Wicker, she said: "Businesses around the area are struggling, the bus lane is putting customers off coming to wicker, and we see a restructure of the bus gate times as a lifeline for our businesses as well as a way of improving road safety."

The Bus gate has been in place since Monday 12th January 2008 and has caused controversy among local citizens, Highways Officer John Lashmar disagrees with a change in operating times by suggesting that changing bus lane rules would 'encourage more traffic and congestion whilst being a hindrance to public safety.'

The 2047 people who initially signed the petition brought the discussion to the council on 16th February 2009, but it was a petition of 88 signatures requesting an urgent decision which brought this topic up for further discussion.

The planning and highway board indicated that it would look into relaxing the 24 hour law by setting a list of criteria which officers need to monitor and submit for further discussion. The criteria will look into vehicle movement and traffic accidents within the area since the camera has been in use, as well as evaluating other factors relating to the bus lane. A final decision is due to be made once all the criteria has been presented to the planning board.


BY Sean O'Malley