“When you disrupt New Hall Lane, you disrupt the whole city” is the message from disgruntled residents and business owners about the new bus lane down one of the city’s busiest roads.
A new survey undertaken by city councillor Suleman Sarwar has seen more than 500 responses from those living within the Fishwick and St Matthews area of the city.
Lancashire County Council put the new bus lane in place during January and February of this year – but it has not yet been enforced despite a commitment in May that the cameras would start working.
Read more: Preston teacher reduced to tears after being threatened with bailiffs over phantom bus gate fine
The bus lane, which runs from Mosley Street up to close to the London Road junction, was the ninth bus-only area in the city.
Labour city councillor Sarwar led a campaign against the bus lane during the consultation stage.
He says his survey, which was undertaken online using a Google form, has seen ten times the responses to the official county council consultation on the bus lane.
Cllr Sarwar says 94 per cent of respondents want to the bus lane scrapped and that traffic has got worse since the bus lane was introduced.
Nearly half of bus passengers using the survey say they haven’t seen any improvement to their journeys as a result of the bus lane – the reason given by the county council for introducing it.
Cllr Sarwar told Blog Preston: “This isn’t just about a poor scheme; it’s about a failure to listen. LCC’s consultation barely scratched the surface, while proper engagement with residents, businesses, community groups and road users has delivered nearly 500 responses in days.
“As I have said before, New Hall Lane is one of the main arteries of Preston. When you disrupt it, you disrupt the whole city. That is exactly what has happened here.
“Lancashire County Council cannot ignore this. I am continuing to meet with residents and business owners on New Hall Lane this week, and with the survey still open for a few more weeks, the numbers will only climb further — but the message is already loud and clear.”
Fishwick Parade becoming a ‘rat-run’
Adam Patel, who has lived in the Fishwick area for more than 20 years, said he was concerned about how the bus lane had begun to push traffic onto side streets as drivers looked for cut-throughs.
He said: “What the bus lane has done is pushed the traffic queue to start further back down New Hall Lane itself, as before the section where it became two lane acted as a way to release the flow. Now you get it right back to the Acregate Lane junction or further.
“I’ve also seen how Fishwick Parade has become busier, because as drivers are coming towards the city centre they are turning off New Hall Lane and trying to cut down and around to then join New Hall Lane further up at Fishwick Road.
“And they are coming down Fishwick Parade trying to make up that time or their sat nav is giving them it as an option – we’ve had trucks coming down and all sorts.
“There’s also been a lot of near misses where traffic is turning across the bus lane too as especially the buses are using it to make up time as they are getting stuck in the queues further back on New Hall Lane too.
“We tried to warn the council about this but they just don’t listen.”
Bus lane cameras will be turned on soon – as council defend bus lane
The county council has defended the bus lane saying the ‘impact on congestion has been minimal’. They also gave an update on what’s happening with the cameras – which have been in place since February but not turned on.
Cabinet member for highways and transport at the Reform-run administration, councillor Warren Goldsworthy, said: We understand that many residents and businesses have strong views about the new bus lane, and we value the feedback shared so far.
“Phase 1 of the New Hall Lane scheme introduced a dedicated westbound bus and cycle lane within the existing road layout. Drivers still have access to the usual single lane, and parking restrictions remain unchanged.
“Phase 2, planned for 2026, will include major signal upgrades and widened filter lanes at the London Road/New Hall Lane junction.
“Once complete, the scheme is expected to benefit all road users, improving public transport journey times and reliability, while easing traffic flow.
“Early feedback from bus operators suggests journey times and timetable reliability are already improving.
“We’re finalising arrangements with the camera provider for enforcement, and aim to go live in the coming weeks.
“Drivers will be informed before enforcement begins, and a short grace period will be provided during which no fines will be issued.
“In the meantime, we ask motorists to follow the clearly marked signs and use the correct lanes.”
Support Blog Preston: Keep our community reporting going and view the website without any adverts too. Sign up for a membership today. Sign up for a membership today – and ensure we keep asking questions of those in power and reporting on our communities.
Stay updated: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines
