Taxi drivers have been given the greenlight to use bus lanes once again – after a temporary order allowing its use lapsed last month when council chiefs forgot to renew it.
North Ayrshire Council confirmed they were now looking to get a permanent order after the drivers previously won a long fight to use a Stevenston bus lane for a 12-month trial period after a petition from TOA taxis.
However the order eventually lapsed in April 20 last month – with no one seeking to either renew it or implement a permanent order.
Following concerns from residents and enquiries from the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, North Ayrshire Council confirmed this week that a new order had now come into effect from May 5.
A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “The Temporary Order lapsed on April 20 and following further consideration we have, from Wednesday, May 5, extended this for a further six months.
“We are currently in the process of promoting a permanent Traffic Regulation Order.”
When it was approved at North Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet in 2019, recommendation to councillors said: “It is proposed that the full length of the bus lane be the subject of an experimental TRO permitting taxis to utilise the bus lane for a period of 12 months. This will allow Hackney licensed and private hire vehicles to utilise the bus lane.
“This would allow a sufficient period to assess its impact on bus services and incidences of misuse by non-taxi vehicles.
The experimental nature of the TRO would also provide the council with the flexibility to rescind the order should the monitoring identify a sufficiently negative impact on bus services.”
Jim McKerrell of TOA Taxis said at the time: “It’s been a long haul, a good 10 years on and off. This is going to benefit the general public who are using the taxis.
“I’m totally delighted.”
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