Nottingham City Council is reviewing bus lane operating times across the city to create a more consistent and easier-to-understand network for all road users.
Currently, bus lane operating times can vary across different locations. The review aims to simplify these arrangements by introducing a consistent number of standard operating routes where highway conditions allow. This will help motorists better understand when bus lanes can and cannot be used, while continuing to support reliable bus services and efficient traffic flow.
The proposed changes are intended to improve consistency across the city’s bus lane network with three set operating periods:
- A peak time operation, which will be best for routes that only get busy during the morning and evening rush hours, where all‑day restrictions are not feasible or needed to keep buses running reliably.
- An extended daytime operation suitable for areas where buses run frequently all day, or where congestion continues outside the main peak times.
- A 24-hour operation for locations such as major routes in and out of the city, bus corridors with regular late‑night or early‑morning services, places where misuse of the bus lane outside peak hours causes delays, or where neighbouring or linked routes will have the same operating hours to avoid creating confusing or inconsistent patterns for drivers.
This will make restrictions easier for road users to understand by aligning operational timings along the same route, helping to support smoother traffic flow. It will also help maintain reliable and efficient bus journey times, better meeting the needs of residents, businesses and visitors.
Early changes are proposed for key corridors as indicated on the map. A formal consultation is planned for late 2026. In addition, the council will look at introducing additional bus stop cages for accessibility in local areas to ensure residents can board and alight safely.
Councillor Patience Ifediora, Executive Member for Regional Development, Growth and Transport at Nottingham City Council, said: “Our aim is for the road network to be as clear and effective as possible for everyone who uses it. By reviewing bus lane operating times and moving towards greater consistency, we can make restrictions easier to understand whilst continuing to support public transport and the efficient movement of traffic across the city.”
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “People rely on transport networks that are easy to understand, reliable and responsive to what is happening on the ground.
“This investment will help modernise Nottingham’s transport network, making journeys into and around the city clearer and easier for drivers, while supporting wider efforts to reduce congestion and keep the East Midlands moving.
“By backing practical improvements like this, we are helping to build a transport system that is fit for the future and better connected for the people, businesses and communities it serves.”
Opportunities to provide early feedback can be sent to traffic.management@nottinghamcity.gov.uk quoting ref TMBUSLANEREV.
