Conservatives Pledge End to 24-Hour Bus Lanes in Councils Post-May Elections

The Conservative Party intends to dismantle 24-hour bus lanes in English councils after the May local elections. This proposal forms part of a six-point agenda aimed at motorists, dubbed "bus lanes that make sense."

The party stated that Conservative-led councils would only permit bus lanes where a "genuine requirement" is established. Furthermore, if in national government, the party would prohibit 24/7 bus lanes unless specifically authorised in writing by a minister.

A Conservative spokesperson asserted that "Councils across the country have turned bus lanes into 24/7 enforcement traps," adding that Conservatives would "restore a common-sense approach to how road space is used."

Bus lanes, reserved for public buses and authorised vehicles like taxis, are managed by local councils. While some operate during specific hours, others are active 24/7. In 2021, Transport for London extended 24-hour operation to approximately 85km of bus lanes. That same year, the then Conservative-controlled West Northamptonshire Council reversed a 24/7 bus lane policy, but Conservative-run Norfolk County Council implemented one.

This bus lane policy is integrated into a broader Conservative initiative to "restore common sense for car owners to get Britain moving again." Other measures include reversing a scheduled fuel duty increase in September, allocating £100 million for pothole repairs, ending blanket 20mph speed limits, addressing driving test backlogs, and rescinding the 2030 prohibition on new petrol and diesel cars.

Labour criticised the Conservatives' 14-year tenure, stating it had left roads "riddled with potholes and the driving test system in chaos." Labour's counter-proposals include freezing fuel duty, doubling investment in pothole repairs, approving new road projects, and increasing driving test capacity.

The Liberal Democrats attributed soaring fuel costs to "Trump's illegal war in Iran," demanding an immediate 10p cut to fuel duty and reduced VAT on public electric vehicle charging. Reform UK accused Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch of policy plagiarism, specifically citing plans to reverse the anticipated 5p fuel duty hike. The Green Party of England and Wales dismissed the Conservative plan as "Jeremy Clarkson's wildest dream," arguing it would be a "living nightmare" for many communities and asserting the need to reduce reliance on private vehicles.