You may have heard about Red Lines and Bus Lanes. There are lots of myths around. Read on to find out the facts or click here to download the pdf version.
RED LINES
| Myth | Truth |
| It’s already been decided. | No decision has been made on red routes. There has only been an initial consultation.1 |
| Red lines mean 12 hour bus lanes. |
They are not the same thing. You can have red routes without bus lanes and bus lanes without red routes. |
| Red lines mean no parking anywhere. |
Red routes can have single lines and double lines. Cameras on red routes detect dangerous and illegal parking – this only affects people who park illegally. |
| Businesses won’t be able to have deliveries. |
There can be loading bays on red routes. |
| It will be bad for people with disabilities and taxis. |
Blue badge holders and licensed taxis can stop on red routes.2 There can also be blue badge parking bays. |
| No one has been consulted. | Over 17,000 households and businesses were contacted by post and 3,680 people made comments in 2021-22. |
| No-one cares about illegal parking – everyone does it. |
Illegal parking affects people’s safety, particularly people with disabilities, children and people with prams. |
BUS LANES
| Myth | Truth |
| Bus lane hours are going to increase to 12 hours a day. | No decision has been made. A cross-party committee³ will look at several options. Any proposals will be brought forward for public consultation. |
| It’s already been decided. | No decision has been made on bus lane hours. There has only been an initial consultation. |
| There’s no need to change – it works well as it is. | Buses are delayed because of congestion.⁵ The current bus lane hours don’t match the peak rush hour times. |
| No one has been consulted. | Over 17,000 households and businesses were contacted by post and 3,680 people made comments in 2021-22. |
| Everyone comes to the shops by car. | In a survey, 64% of shoppers didn’t bring a car. 55% of shoppers arrived on foot. |
| 12 hour bus lanes and red lines are the same thing. | You can have red routes without bus lanes and bus lanes without red routes. They are not the same thing. |
1. https://connectingsheffield.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/abbeydale-road-and-ecclesall-road/step1
2. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/road-markings
3. The relevant committee has 4 Labour, 3 LibDem and 2 Green councillors
4. https://connectingsheffield.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/abbeydale-road-and-ecclesall-road/step1
5. Funding was awarded because Abbeydale Rd and Ecclesall Rd are the two most congested bus routes in South Yorkshire
