Conservatives Promise to Restrict 24/7 Bus Lanes in Local Elections Manifesto

The Conservatives announced a pledge to end 24-hour bus lanes in areas where they control councils after May's local elections in England. The policy, termed 'bus lanes that make sense,' forms part of a six-point plan for drivers released ahead of the polls.

Councils it runs will only allow bus lanes if there is a "genuine requirement". If in government, the Conservatives would end 24/7 bus lanes except with the specific written permission of a minister.

"Councils across the country have turned bus lanes into 24/7 enforcement traps," a Conservative spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that Conservatives will restore a common-sense approach to how road space is used. BBC News reported these details from the party's announcement.

Bus lanes are sections of roads reserved for public buses and authorised vehicles, such as taxis. They are controlled by councils and often operational at specific times, indicated by blue signs, or 24/7. The coverage of 24-hour bus lanes varies across UK council areas.

In 2021, Transport for London said about 50 miles (85km) of bus lanes in the city would permanently operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week. That same year, West Northamptonshire Council, then controlled by the Conservatives, scrapped a 24/7 bus lane and reduced its operating times. However, the Conservative-run Norfolk County Council installed a 24/7 bus lane in 2021.

The plan includes reversing a fuel duty hike due in September. It also involves spending £100m on pothole repairs. Additional elements of the plan entail ending blanket 20mph schemes. The Conservatives aim to clear driving test backlogs.

The initiative further includes scrapping the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars. Labour said the Conservatives 'had left our roads riddled with potholes and the driving test system in chaos' during their previous 14-year stint in power. The party stated it was freezing fuel duty, doubling investment to fix potholes, approving new road projects across England and increasing driving test capacity.

Reform UK accused the Conservatives of copying its policies, including plans to reverse the planned 5p rise in fuel duty.

"It's all very well announcing a policy to clear driving test backlogs when it was created under their government," a Reform UK spokesperson said.

The Liberal Democrats said motorists were "paying the price for Trump's illegal war in Iran as fuel costs continue to soar". "That's why Liberal Democrats are demanding an immediate 10p cut to fuel duty, and slashing VAT for public electric car charging," a party spokesperson said.

The Green Party of England and Wales said the Conservative plan "sounds like Jeremy Clarkson's wildest dream, but for most communities, these policies would be a living nightmare". "If recent events have taught us anything, it's that we need to stop forcing people to drive just to get around in their daily lives," a Green spokesperson said.