I WRITE following the recent introduction of the bus lane on the A370 approaching the M5 junction 21 from Puxton and noted that this facility did not as usual include motorcycles as a permitted vehicle.

I WRITE following the recent introduction of the bus lane on the A370 approaching the M5 junction 21 from Puxton and noted that this facility did not as usual include motorcycles as a permitted vehicle.

Of greater concern is the bus lane at the Ashton end of the Long Ashton bypass which has had the facility for motorcycles to use the lane removed (the motorcycle symbol has been over coloured with blue background of the sign).

The use of bus lanes by motorcyclists in the area was originally granted by the old Avon County Council many years ago, and until recently was still the situation on roads throughout the old area, and it remains in force in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Only North Somerset appears to have decided on a change of policy. A policy which actually costs North Somerset Council nothing as an annual run cost. In the run up to an election year to be taking away facilities for residents that cost nothing seems as strange a decision as the removal of the use of bus lanes.

I would be interested to understand the reasoning behind this apparent change of policy, but given pedal cyclists are still using these lanes with buses and taxis, it can't be a reason of safety.

K PHILLIPS

Yarbury Way, Weston