Hull bus lanes to switch to rush hour only operation

All of the Hull's bus lanes will switch to peak time operating on Monday 18 March, the city council said.

Bus lanes in Hull are to switch to peak-time hours only later this month.

Signs are being changed ahead of the switch on Monday 18 March.

From then restrictions on using bus lane will be enforced between 07:00 and 09:30 and 16:00 and 18:30 Monday to Saturday.

Local environmental groups said they were concerned about increased emissions and feared it would make bus and bike journeys longer.

The change from all day use came after a Hull City Council survey in 2022 suggested that 65% of respondents wanted the bus lanes to only operate at rush hour.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, councillor Mark Ieronimo said the changes acted on what Hull people wanted.

"When the bus lane operating times were changed initially, this didn't happen, and the council has felt the backlash," he said.

"Residents must now feel that the council is listening to them and acting in their interests."

'Increased pollution'

However, 46 objections were lodged against the proposals ahead of the decision and the council's own highways officers said they would make little difference to congestion.

Objectors included East Yorkshire Buses managing director Ben Gilligan and Hull Friends of the Earth who raised concerns over increased pollution and claimed it would make bus and bike journeys longer.

Hull Labour opposition leader councillor Daren Hale said the changes were a simple solution to the complex problem of congestion on local roads.

Objectors claimed the change would lead to longer journey times and more pollution

Hull Labour opposition leader councillor Daren Hale said the changes were a simple solution to the complex problem of congestion on local roads.

During the operating times only buses, taxis and bikes can use the lanes both into and out of the city.

Restrictions will remain unchanged at the bus gate on Carr Lane.