BBC News - Government to scrap M4 bus lane

1 October 2010 Last updated at 05:08 ET

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Government to scrap M4 bus lane

The bus lane was known as the "Blair lane" after the former prime minister used it to avoid heavy traffic

The controversial M4 bus lane is due to be scrapped at the end of the year.

Under the plans, all motorists will be able to use the 3.5 mile (5.6km) lane which operates on the London-bound carriageway from near Heathrow.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond is expected to announce the move at next week's Conservative Party conference.

The lane will be suspended from 24 December for 18 months when it will be brought back into use for the Olympics, after which it will be scrapped.

The unpopular bus lane was introduced by former Transport Secretary John Prescott in 1999.

It became known as the "Blair lane" after the former prime minister used it to avoid heavy traffic.

In his speech to the Conservative Party, Mr Hammond is expected to say: "Nothing is more symbolic of Labour's war on the motorist than the M4 bus lane."

He is thought to reveal plans to suspend the lane from the end of December until the 2012 Olympics, and then scrap it permanently after the Games.

Mr Hammond will say that the lane will be temporarily used for the Olympics to help get people "speedily" to and from events.

via bbc.co.uk

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