Hull bus lane enforcement will be peak time only from spring

Bus lane enforcement will be enforced at peak times only in Hull this spring

The enforcement of bus lanes in Hull will be returning to peak hours only this spring.

Hull City Council has confirmed four traffic regulation orders (TRO) to change the operating hours of bus only lanes in both directions.

The all-day bus lanes were introduced in 2020 by the previous Labour administration to improve traffic flow in the city.

But councillors voted to change the system after a public survey last year.

Under the new regulations, enforcement of the bus lanes will take place between 07:00 - 09:30 and 16:00 - 18:30, Monday to Saturday.

Councillor Mike Ross, the Liberal Democrat Leader of Hull City Council said: "We know this has been one of the biggest local issues Hull has seen in some time but we are now so close to delivering change and moving forward."

All day bus lanes were introduced in the city in July 2020

The new orders were published in 2023 as part of the process to change the bus lane operating times and members of the public were given 21 days to lodge a formal objection.

Hull City Council says it received 46 objections which it has now considered.

But officials at East Yorkshire Buses, which operate in the city, have accused the council of ignoring their feedback and say the changes are "undermining and disappointing".

Ben Gilligan, the managing director of the operator, told BBC Radio Humberside: "It's an understatement to say we're unhappy with this. It's an appalling decision given all the issues at the moment around public transport and the green agenda.

"It's particularly galling given we're investing considerable sums in Hull to restore the level of network provision that we had prior to 2020 when Covid hit.

"There's been a promise that public transport will be supported but we haven't seen that. Actions speak louder than words and this is one that has undermined it to a great extent."

The council says motorists will see changes to signs across the city in March with the new operating times coming into force shortly afterwards.