A52 Trunk Road (Derby Road, Nottingham)(Bus/Cycle Lane)(Experimental) Order 2001

Government Office for the East Midlands

Mike Jackson
Director Nottinghamshire & Northamptonshire

The Belgrave Centre
Stanley Place
Talbot Street
Nottingham
NGI 5GG

Switchboard: 0115 9719971
Direct Line: 0115 9712672
Fax: 0115 9712411
Website: www.go-em.gov.uk

Our Ref: NRP 6/3/131

Date: 9 August 2002

Dear Sir/Madam

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

The A52 Trunk Road (Derby Road, Nottingham) (Bus/Cycle Lane) (Experimental) Order 2001

1. I am directed by the Secretary of State for Transport ("the Secretary of State") to refer to the public local inquiry ("the inquiry") held at the Strathdon Hotel, Nottingham, for 3 days between 19 February and 21 February 2002 before Mr J E Coyne, an independent Inspector nominated by the Lord Chancellor and appointed by the Secretary of State, to hear objections to, and representations about, whether The A52 Trunk Road (Derby Road, Nottingham) (Bus/Cycle Lane) (Experimental) Order 2001 ("the Order") should be made permanent.

2. The Order prohibits any vehicle other than a bus or a pedal cycle to wait, enter or proceed in the bus/cycle lane created in the near-side lane of the eastbound carriageway of the A52 Trunk Road between the Sherwin Arms roundabout and a point 75m west of the Priory roundabout.

The Inspector's Report

3. A copy of the Inspector's report is enclosed. In this letter reference to paragraph numbers in the Inspector's report are indicated by the abbreviation "IR".

4. The Inspector concluded in favour of the bus/cycle lane (IR 6.1 to 6.16). He recommended that the Order should be made permanent to come into force by 26 September 2002 (IR 7. 1).

Decision of the Secretary Of State

5. The Secretary of State has carefully considered all the objections, representations and expressions of support made, both oral and written, together with the Inspector's report. He has taken account of correspondence received after the close of the inquiry.

6. The Secretary of State notes that the bus/cycle lane scheme is part of the Greater Nottingham Bus Quality Partnership. Its purpose is to improve bus journey times whilst retaining two lanes for use by other Nottingham bound traffic.

7. The Secretary of State is satisfied that the scheme accords with the aims and objectives of the Government's White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone" and its policy document "A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England", and with the Highways Agency's key objectives.

8. The Secretary of State is satisfied that the bus/cycle lane is desirable and justified. He agrees with the Inspector's conclusions and accepts his recommendation. He is satisfied that there is nothing in the post-inquiry correspondence which causes him to disagree with the Inspector's conclusions and recommendation.

9. The Secretary of State has noted the Inspector's view about the signing at Moor Lane and Thoresby Road - Diagram 877 in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994 (IR 6.7). He confirms that the Highways Agency will review the position in the light of his decision in this letter.

10. In light of the above, the Secretary of State has decided to make permanent the current A52 Trunk Road (Derby Road, Nottingham) (Bus/Cycle Lane) (Experimental) Order 2001.

Right of Challenge

11. Public Notice will be given when a permanent Order has been made. Any person who wishes to question the validity of the made Order, or of any particular provision contained in it, on the grounds that the Secretary of State has exceeded his powers or has not complied with the relevant statutory requirements in making the Order may, under the provisions of Part VI of Schedule 9 to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, do so by application to the High Court. Such application must be made within six weeks from the date the Order is made.

Availability of Inspector's Report

12. A copy of this letter and the Inspector's Report has been sent to interested parties and to any other person who appeared at the inquiry and asked to be notified of the Secretary of State's decision. Any person who is entitled to be supplied with a copy of the Inspector's report may apply to the Secretary of State within 6 weeks of receipt of this letter, to inspect any document appended to the report. Any such application should be made to:

Mr Dale Oscroft
Government Office for the East Midlands
The Belgrave Centre
Stanley Place
Talbot Street
Nottingham, NG1 5GG
Tel: (0115) 971 2638.

Applications should state the date and time (within normal office hours) when it is proposed to make the inspection. At least three days notice should be given if possible.

Yours faithfully,

MIKE JACKSON