More than 200 people have signed a petition calling for cab drivers to given access to bus lanes along a major route in Reading.
The A33 Basingstoke Road is a major north-south route running between the Inner Distribution Road (IDR) and Junction 11 of the M4 in Reading.
A number of bus lanes have been established along the route to speed up journeys, part of Reading Borough Council's South Reading Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.
Currently, only buses can use the bus lanes on the A33, with a push for cabs, traditionally known as hackney carriages to be allowed access as well.
Earlier this year, Asif Rashid, the chairman of the Reading Taxi Association, presented a petition signed by 231 people requesting that the council grant access to cab drivers during a council meeting in June.
Mr Rashid said: “We use that [the A33] frequently.
“I know it’s there for the buses but there’s hardly any buses using it.
“Most of the time they are empty."
The council's highways team has acknowledged the petition, but the change is unlikely to be implemented, as James Clements, the council's transport programme manager, has recommended against it.
Mr Clement argued that bus stops along the route have been designed without laybys, meaning cab drivers may swerve into traffic to avoid buses, causing a 'safety hazard'.
The requested change in the petition is set to be decided at the council's traffic management sub-committee meeting on Wednesday, November 27.
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