Bus lane reassurance over passenger transport ambulances
People in Wolverhampton who need passenger ambulance services to get to hospital have been told that the vehicles are now allowed to use bus lanes, after patients raised fears of missing appointments due to traffic delays.
Many towns and cities in the UK do not allow white hospital transport ambulances to travel in bus lanes, due to differences in Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) between local authorities. However, following a councilor’s intervention this week, Wolverhampton Council has decided to grant permission.
Councillor Carol Hyatt said she had been approached by a number of people who were worried about being late for – or missing – important medical appointments because the hospital passenger transport vehicles were restricted from using the bus lanes.
“I was contacted by several local residents who rely on these ambulances to travel to hospital or see their GP, as they are too unwell to use public or other methods of transport,” she said.
“People who can afford taxis are allowed to travel in bus lanes, but those who are reliant on a white hospital transport ambulance cannot. This gave rise to genuine fears of being stuck in traffic, experiencing the discomfort of a longer journey, becoming stressed and even missing appointments.
“I decided to take these concerns to the council and I’m very pleased to report that they looked into the matter straight away and decided to say yes – the passenger transport ambulances can now use bus lanes to make their journeys as quickly as possible.”
A Wolverhampton Council spokesperson said: “Councils have legal documentation, known as Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO), that details the type of vehicles authorised to use a bus lane or bus gate. In Wolverhampton, liveried emergency vehicles are permitted to use bus lanes and bus gates. TRO information may differ in neighbouring authorities.”
Councillor Hyatt added: “This is an example of real team work. After residents flagged up their concerns, council officers were only too glad to reiterate that the overall wellbeing of city residents was at the heart of its policy on this. Local authorities have the power to choose if hospital transport ambulances can use their bus lanes, and I was very proud to let people know that our council says yes.”
