The bus lane installed in Truro's Tregolls Road only weeks ago is to be scrapped after it was officially confirmed there had been an increase in journey times for commuters since it was introduced on November 2.

Cornwall Council has accepted that that increase is affecting the success of the overall traffic management scheme.

The council has said today the installation of the bus lane forms part of the park and ride scheme for Truro which was designed to help ease congestion and provide a sustainable alternative for commuters and visitors to access Truro. It was also designed to reduce traffic pressure during peak periods in light of adverse air quality conditions along Tregolls Road.

Bert Biscoe, the council’s cabinet member for transport, said that the traffic monitoring data, gathered as part of the implementation phase of the scheme and including subjective data from road users, shows that average journey times have worsened, with average times from Tresillian into Truro increasing from seven minutes after the completion of the Union Hill improvements to 21 minutes, following introduction of the bus lane.

“It is clear that the bus lane has not achieved what it was intended to, and has reversed the improvements of the junctions and the park and ride," he said. "The council’s engineers have gathered data from cameras and sensors as well as from road users. The delays caused by the bus lane are counter-productive. We are not achieving a better balanced flow or offering bus users any benefit. On this basis it is clear that this final part of a complex scheme needs to go.

“The technical process to revoke a traffic order takes some time and involves a period of statutory consultation. This consultation will start on November 26. In the meantime the bus lane will be suspended from Monday, November 23, pending the formal revocation."

This legal process should be completed by January 14. The council will continue to monitor journey times after the bus lane has been removed.

Maintenance of the A39 between Tregolls Road and the Trafalgar roundabout had already been scheduled for early 2016. If an order is made to revoke the Bus Lane Order, the council plans to plane the red surface which indicates the bus lane and reinstate black-top. To minimise disruption for the travelling public these roadworks will be undertaken at night.

“Removing the red surface during the planned maintenance works will reduce the costs to around £30,000,” said Mr Biscoe. “This, added to the original installation costs of £30,000, will result in a total bill of £60,000. Delivery of the park and ride and associated junction measures has been funded by grants from several sources, including European funding, the Government’s Regional Growth Fund and Local Transport Plan. Removal of the bus lane will be covered from the contingency line built into the scheme’s budgets. The overall cost of the park and ride and associated junction measures is currently estimated at around £12m.

“Such bus lanes usually form part of park and ride schemes in other parts of Britain but clearly have not worked as part of this otherwise successful and much-needed traffic management scheme in Truro. Cornwall Council is learning its lessons, one of which is when one tries to ‘marry’ engineering and psychology, it’s important to respect both disciplines.”