Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Rosindell and Robert Goodwill

Thursday 5th March 2015 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con)]

3. What plans he has to review vehicular access rights to bus lanes.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Robert Goodwill)]

Decisions on the use of bus lanes, including any exemptions or exceptions, are for local authorities.

[Andrew Rosindell]

I am sure that the Minister will be aware that a number of local authorities still do not allow ambulances to drive in bus lanes unless they are responding to an emergency. Does he agree that if an empty taxi returning to a taxi rank can drive in a bus lane, an ambulance returning to a hospital should be able to do so?

[Mr Goodwill]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Although an ambulance can use a bus lane when responding to an emergency, it is otherwise up to a local authority to use its discretion on that matter. Indeed, local authorities such as Labour-controlled Manchester and Sheffield do not allow ambulances in bus lanes. I have written to every local authority in the country to make that point and ask them to bear it in mind when they make their local decisions.