Halesowen bus lanes axed in bid to cut congestion
Bus lanes in Halesowen have been permanently axed in a bid to cut congestion in the town centre.
Proposals were unveiled in March to scrap the lanes in Bromsgrove Road and westbound on Queensway which have now been enforced.
However, the Queensway eastbound lane will remain in place for buses as drivers said it had helped to cut journey times.
It followed a 12-month trial which the council said had shown there were no benefits from having the other lanes exclusively for buses.
Councillors and residents had long called for the lanes to be scrapped because they claimed they caused traffic queues in the area.
Councillor Hilary Bills, cabinet member for environmental services, said: "During the trial there was minimal impact on local traffic and buses on two of the bus lanes and we decided to permanently revoke Queensway westbound and Bromsgrove Road.
"However, a third lane in Queensway Eastbound, has proven very beneficial to buses leaving the bus station and it will therefore remain in place.
"We have carefully considered this project and once again, we have listened to local people and made improvements which are beneficial to everyone."