New bus lane to open on Lode Lane
On Friday 10th June two sections of the new bus lane on Lode Lane will open.
This marks the completion of the first phase of Solihull Council’s Lode Lane Enhancement Scheme to deliver a dedicated bus lane along three sections of this main Solihull route.
The two stretches of bus lane, in the direction of Solihull town centre only (southbound), are located between the canal bridge and junction with Rowood Drive and between the junction with Grove Road and Poplar Road.
The bus lanes will be indicated by a thick white line on the road and will be in operation 24 hours a day – other vehicles permitted to use the lane are licensed taxis, bicycles and motorcycles.
In the town centre, the bus and cycle-only lane will now connect Lode Lane with the previously no-through road between Radcliffe House and Brueton Gardens. This is expected to benefit all traffic moving through the town centre by removing buses from the busy Lode Lane/Warwick Road roundabout.
Signs will be in place along the route to advise drivers of the changes.
Motorists found to be using the bus lane when not permitted face being issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).
The final stretch of new bus lane on Lode Lane, between Moat Lane and Hermitage Road, is due to be opened following completion of the second phase of the scheme in Autumn 2016.
Improvements are also being made to pedestrian and cycling facilities, including the introduction of a continuous off-carriageway, shared-use cycle lane between the A45 Coventry Road and Solihull town centre.
Councillor Ted Richards, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways said: “The scheme demonstrates Solihull Council’s commitment to promoting sustainable travel, supporting the town centre business economy and improving road safety.
“The scheme is also in line with the development of the UK Central programme, providing bus priority on Lode Lane being a crucial link to connecting the key economic zones in our borough.”
Read more: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/news/ArtMID/820/ArticleID/1259/New-bus-lanes-open-on-main-Solihull-route