Purpose

Approval is sought to give public notice of the proposed extension of the northbound bus lane on Oldham Road, Ashton-under-Lyne. 

Decision

(i)                  Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council in exercise of its powers under sections 1(1), 2(1) and 2(2) and 4(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, is granted permission to give public notice of the extension of the north-bound bus lane on Oldham Road, Ashton-under-Lyne. 

(ii)               Any unresolved objections will be reported at a future Speakers Panel (Planning) meeting.  If the proposals to are approved the scheme will be implemented and the legal Order made to reflect the decision. 

Reasons for the decision

The proposed bus lane extension aims to enhance the overall bus travel experience along Oldham Road which forms part of the Greater Manchester Quality Bus Transit scheme.  The extension is designed to reduce waiting times for northbound bus services by allowing them to pass through the Wilshaw Lane junction within a single traffic signal cycle, thereby improving journey time reliability.

Alternative options considered

If the proposed bus lane extension is not implemented, there will be no improvement in northbound journey time reliability for bus services travelling through the Wilshaw Lane junction on Oldham Road.  Bus journey times along this route will remain relatively long and unpredictable.

Failure to deliver the extension will also significantly limit the council’s ability to fully realise the benefits of the Quality Bus Transit scheme, preventing the scheme from operating as designed, and reducing its contribution to the development of Greater Manchester’s integrated transport network.