High Occupancy Vehicle lane in Bristol opened up to HGV drivers

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes are designed to encourage people to car share. The lanes are generally only permitted to be used if you have two or more people in your vehicle, or you are a bicycle, public bus, or motorbike. They are meant to reduce the number of cars on the road (as people are more likely to car share or carpool in order to use the HOV lane) which will lessen congestion and pollution from exhausts.

The HOV lane on the A4174 Avon Ring Road was first introduced in 1998 and was the second of its kind in the country. When it was first installed, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) asked to permit HGVs to use the lane, but the request was refused. South Gloucestershire Council have now accepted a further proposal by the RHA to allow HGVs to use the lane.

The proposal included the argument that HGV driving in the morning peak hours (which can cause more congestion) was unavoidable, because the haulage firms have to respond to client requests, which often mean that deliveries need to be made before or around 9am.

Mike Farmer, the RHA Regional Director, says

“We used the argument that HGVs should be viewed as freight buses and thus should be allowed to use the HOV lane. We are delighted the Council accepted this view and it is clear they understand fully the importance of HGVs in delivering daily life to Bristol”