Contact: Peter Syddall, ext 6050 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That an experimental Traffic Regulation Order pursuant to Section 9 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 be published to permit licensed hackney carriages to use the A325 bus lanes, Farnborough (except the section northbound between Prospect Avenue and Bradford's roundabout).

(ii) That the use of the bus lanes and compliance with the Order be reviewed following a period of monitoring after implementation of the Order.

(iii) That Rushmoor Borough Council be requested to investigate with other neighbouring taxi licensing authorities the longer term aim to standardise the type and appearance of these vehicles.

2. Reason

2.1 The implementation of the bus lanes on the A325 (and extensive maintenance works) are now substantially complete and open to use by buses. The works represent a considerable investment in the transport infrastructure for the Farnborough area. The Traffic Regulation Orders as originally prepared permit only buses (and cycles) to use the bus lanes. To maximise the use of these priority measures for the benefit of the community, and following investigations into practice in adjoining areas, it is considered that the Orders could be amended to permit taxis to use the lanes on an experimental basis. It is proposed to monitor their use for a period of about three months after changes to the Orders, to check whether bus lanes are being misused by other traffic. The need for additional measures or actions could be considered as necessary after that time, or the Order confirmed. If a significant problem is shown to arise because of confusion over the use of the lanes by non-standard taxis, this may necessitate a more restrictive approach. In addition it is suggested that Rushmoor Borough Council, in liaison with neighbouring licensing authorities, investigates the longer term aim to standardise the type and appearance of vehicles used.

2.2 The northbound section of the bus lane between Prospect Avenue and Bradford's roundabout (about 320 metres long) will remain for the use of buses only. This is because there is a bus gate on the approach to the roundabout, activated by a transponder fitted to buses. Other vehicles would not be able to pass the bus gate. The bus gate allows buses to cross two other lanes, ahead of traffic, in order to turn right at the roundabout.

2.3 Rushmoor Borough Council strongly supports licensed taxis being permitted to use the bus lanes.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Taking no action.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor J. K. Glen

7. Background

7.1 The Traffic Regulation Orders currently in force only allow buses to use the bus lanes. (Cycles may also use the lanes, but it is considered preferable for cyclists to use the improved off-road cycle path on this busy section of the A325.) In developing the bus lane proposals for the A325 an important concern was effective enforcement. It was considered that the highest degree of self-enforcement could be attained by excluding vehicles other than buses, a view supported by the police.

7.2 The A325 in Farnborough is used principally by taxis licensed in Rushmoor Borough, which are of the London Cab design or four approved types. However, taxis from neighbouring taxi licensing authorities, for example, Bracknell Forest, Wokingham and those within Surrey, can be a variety of vehicles and livery. Allowing all these taxis to use the bus lanes could make infringements by ordinary motorists more likely, thus making effective enforcement by the police more difficult and possibly affecting bus reliability.

7.3 However, it is clear that the policies of these neighbouring authorities generally favour use of bus lanes by taxis, irrespective of a standard appearance. In these circumstances it would be difficult to seek a common approach to livery, colour, etc across all authorities, relating solely to permitted use of the A325 bus lanes.

7.4 Three further factors are also relevant. Firstly, legislation is currently being formulated that could allow local authorities at some future stage to take on the responsibilities of enforcement of traffic orders relating to the use of bus lanes, and possibly employ the use of techniques such as violation cameras. Hence this might provide increased resources and techniques to effectively enforce the traffic orders. Secondly, Central Government policy is seeking to promote social inclusion, and taxis are sometimes the only practical means of transport for people without access to a car for certain journeys. Thirdly, increasing the use of the bus lanes by permitting taxis will of course serve to optimise use of this new infrastructure. These factors are being taken into account as part of the preparation of the draft county-wide strategic policy on the use of bus lanes by taxis that is expected to be presented to the Environment Policy Review Committee in October 2003.

8. Views of Local Members

8.1 Councillors Mrs Devereux and Kimber support the principle of permitting taxis to use the bus lanes. However, Councillor Kimber considers that there should be a longer term aim of standardisation of licensed taxis in the Blackwater Valley area. Councillor Baulk agrees with the general principle of allowing taxis to use the bus lanes but has concerns about adequate enforcement.

9. Comments from Stagecoach Bus Company and the Police

9.1 Stagecoach recognises the value, in principle, of taxis using bus lanes. However, the company is concerned that without standardisation of all taxis that may use the A325 there will be misuse by other vehicles contrary to the Traffic Regulation Orders, causing delays to bus services. The bus company would oppose use of the bus lanes by taxis. The police have similar concerns about potential misuse. They refer to their past opposition to the use of the bus lanes by licensed hackney carriages and are concerned that they will have insufficient resources to enforce the Orders limiting use of the lanes to buses and taxis only. In addition, there are safety concerns about taxis manoeuvring in and out of the lanes when buses stop. They ask for their concerns to be noted.

10. Conclusion

10.1 The original Orders for the bus lanes sought to make use of the lanes largely self-enforcing by limiting their use to buses. There is scope to optimise the use of these priority measures by permitting taxis also to use this infrastructure. However, whilst taxis licensed by Rushmoor Borough Council are generally of a standard nature there are concerns, shared by Stagecoach bus company and the police, that effective enforcement may be adversely affected by the non-standard appearance of taxis licensed by other authorities in the Blackwater area. Balanced against this, taxis can play an important role in providing greater accessibility for those less mobile. In addition, in the longer term enforcement by local authorities may increase the resources and techniques available to control violation of the prevailing Orders.

10.2 It is suggested that, on balance, best use can be made of the priority measures introduced on the A325 by allowing licensed taxis to use the bus lanes. However, there should be monitoring of their use for a period after changes to the Orders, to determine the degree of compliance and confirm either the Order or the need for a more restrictive approach.

8148/PCS