Drivers who use bus lanes to make way for emergency service vehicles on blue lights will not be fined, according to Reading Borough Council.

The council's comments follow concerns from the ambulance service regarding drivers seeming "reluctance" to move into the new London Road bus lane when ambulances need to pass. 

The bus lane going west towards the town centre in London Road - between its junctions with Liverpool Road and Amity Road - came into effect from mid August. 

Nearby residents have decried the new lane as having an "appalling" impact on traffic, alongside concerns that emergency service vehicles have been struggling to navigate the congestion. 

A spokesperson from South Central Ambulance Service said it had not received any complaints from ambulance drivers - but local crews had reported that traffic has been "reluctant" to move into the bus lane to allow ambulances to filter past. 

Now Reading Borough Council has said that it will no penalise drivers who make way by using the bus lane - provided there is "clear evidence" that they are doing so to make room for a blue light emergency service. 

The representative from the local authority said: "This would be done on a case-by-case basis and according to the evidence available.

"It is additionally important to note that emergency services are also permitted to drive in a bus lanes when responding to emergencies.”

Regarding the ambulance service's feedback, the council said it welcomed "all feedback."

The council representative said: "“The Council has committed to continue to monitor the new bus lane at this early stage of operation.

"We would point out that out that SCAS were contacted as part of the usual Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process, but no response was received in this instance."

The clarification around fines comes as work begins on a new bus lane along Oxford Road. 

Works have begun on a new bus lane along Oxford Road. Works have begun on a new bus lane along Oxford Road. (Image: NQ)

The 400-metre lane is being created along the busy road outbound between Zinzan Street and George Street.

Road works to create the lane have started east of Bedford Road today, and they are set to continue west of Bedford Road across Friday and Saturday.

This will involve daytime off-peak road closures with signed diversions.