Huge taxpayer bill to extend controversial bus lane operation times

4.56.25pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 20th Feb 2006

Sheffield's taxpayers will face a bill of up to £0.5m to replace street signage if council proposals to extend bus lane operation times throughout the city are approved. Liberal Democrats have unveiled the 'hidden' cost as campaigns by local traders and residents around Sheffield hots up.

Under questioning from Liberal Democrat councillors, council officers have revealed that the likely cost to introduce the necessary new signage across the city will come to around £0.5m. Lib Dems are renewing their calls for the Labour run council to listen to local people and step back from recommending a blanket bus lane extension citywide.

Traders in Ecclesall Road and Chesterfield Road have been amongst those voicing their concerns over the effect on loss of business. There are also fears that changes will have an unacceptable negative affect on motorist journey times.

Lib Dems are also highlighting that FirstBus, the main bus operator in Sheffield, have failed to give any guarantees on fares or services in return for the council introducing longer bus lane restrictions. Despite recent service reductions and fare increases the council are proposing that local taxpayers face the full cost of the bill to replace signage across the city.

If approved by a council planning board, all of Sheffield's bus lane corridors will see bus lanes come into force a half hour earlier in the morning (7.30am-9.30am) and a half hour earlier in the afternoon (4pm -6.30pm). The City Centre, South and East Planning Board on the 13th of March 2006 will come to a decision on the council proposal.

Cllr David Baker, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said: -

"This hidden cost to the Sheffield taxpayer adds to the list of reasons why Labour must step back and reconsider their proposal to extend bus lane operation times on a citywide basis. The proposal is typical of Labours unsuccessful transport policy which doesn't relate to the real world"

"Whilst we have no guarantees from FirstBus that services along these routes will not be cut, I cannot support a decision to spend £500,000 on replacing street signage that may have to be changed again just a few months down the line"

"It is also clear that small and medium sized businesses along the main bus lane routes have some strong arguments which show these changes will result in a significant loss of trade. This, together with the potential negative affect on the average motorist, means that a blanket extension of bus lane operating times would not be in Sheffield's best interests"

"If we do need to extend bus lane operating times then it needs to be looked at on a case by case basis and any proposal must be broadly supported by the local community. Labours policy will end up damaging local communities and create yet more problems for our troubled transport network"

Heeley Lib Dem campaigner Denise Reaney has collected hundreds of signatures on a petition supported by Chesterfield Road traders and intends to hand the petition in at the next Council meeting on March 1st, she said: -

"Local residents and local traders are opposed to these changes on Chesterfield Road. Many traders rely on passing trade and any reduction to this would hit their businesses hard"

"The proposals, along with the decision to give planning permission for a superstore on Chesterfield Road, will cause severe problems for local traders. This extra burden could be the final nail in the coffin for many Heeley businesses."