Cross-party concerns over the installation of bus lanes on the A60 near Arnold have led to a decision to delay work and to carry out public consultation instead.
Several councillors spoke at Nottinghamshire County Council's transport and committee to question the need for and the £4.8 million cost of creating the lanes from the A60 Esso Petrol Station to Arch Hill (north end); Appledorne Way to Cross Street and Oxclose Lane, on the approach to Edwards Lane junction.
A committee report proposed that the bus lanes will be operational 24/7 and bus lane enforcement cameras installed to ensure compliance.
The work would include widening the existing carriageway and footway by reducing the width of the existing verge. This would require the removal of three mature trees along the route to be replaced at a ratio of at least two trees planted for each tree removed.
Some councillors argued that the already busy road would be made worse and that it would frustrate motorists to be sitting in a queue while a largely empty bus lane ran alongside.
A decision not to go-ahead with a proposed park and ride scheme added to councillor concerns and calls for a re-think overall.
Labour councillor Michael Payne (Arnold South) said: "It’s questionable whether it would have any significant benefit to reducing congestion on the A60 and the fundamental question is, without the park and ride facility, how will bus lanes reduce traffic?”
Conservative councillor Chris Barnfather (Newstead) , said that there was nothing more frustrating for a motorist "than to sit in a heavily-congested lane, to then look to their left and see an absolutely empty bus lane".
Councillors agreed it was not the right time to spend money to add to only add to existing problems.
Taking the issue to a vote, committee chairman Councillor Neil Clarke agreed a change in the recommendation to launch a consultation on the plans. And Mr Clarke added: "Consultation on this is very important. It is only right that we support the national policy of encouraging more bus use."
