HOVs ‘unlikely to be allowed in bus lanes’ Newham told

29 October 2009

Transport for London (TfL) is unlikely to approve moves by Newham LBC to convert some of its bus lanes to high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) use, TfL technology delivery head Jeremy Evans said last week.

The possibility of HOV lanes has emerged in the borough’s transport report and funding submission for 2010/11, updating its 2007 local implementation plan.

Possible HOV corridors could include Barking Road and Romford Road, although the borough said it was not currently considering any specific bus lanes for conversion prior to establishing the principle of funding availability. TfL is due to decide by the end of the year.

The final 2009 report of the borough’s integrated public transport scrutiny commission concluded that ‘in terms of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, Newham would arguably be authorised to introduce an experimental traffic regulation order in the form of an HOV lane scheme’.

It cited the limited number of existing UK HOV implementations to support its case for encouraging possible car-sharing schemes ‘in the individual employment context’.

More general car-pooling, it felt, could be too ‘inflexible’ in a borough less-densely populated than many others, and with scattered employment and other destinations.

Register now for full access

Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.

Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors. Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.

Already a registered? Login