Portsmouth City Council, in partnership with its contractor Colas, has completed a programme of red resurfacing works across the city to make bus lanes more visible for all road users and provide smoother journeys for passengers.
Bus lanes are essential to improving bus travel times by keeping buses separate from general traffic, reducing delays, and enhancing the reliability of services. These changes also contribute to overall traffic flow, benefiting all road users.
This initiative is part of the Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), a £48 million investment from the Department for Transport (DfT) aimed at transforming the city’s public transport network. Learn more at portsmouth.gov.uk/portsmouth-bsip.
Cllr Peter Candlish, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:
“We are committed to our vision of delivering a people-centred, connected, travel network to help deliver a safer, healthier and more prosperous city. These bus lane improvements are part of the city’s broader strategy to make bus services more efficient, with the ultimate goal of encouraging more residents to choose buses for their everyday journeys.”
According to the latest Department for Transport (DfT) figures, Portsmouth has seen a 20% rise in bus passengers over the past year and is recognised as the top city for bringing people back to bus travel.
The council’s aim is that Portsmouth will have a faster, more reliable, and accessible bus network, encouraging more people to use public transport for work, shopping, and leisure trips.
The red resurfacing works have been completed in the following locations:
- Kingston Crescent and Mile End Road
- Marketway and Commercial Road
- Portsmouth Road and Portsmouth Road Bus Lanes North
- Bishop Crispian Way
- Baffins Road
- Winston Churchill Avenue
- St Helen’s Parade, Southsea Esplanade, and the link road to St Helen’s Parade
- Eastney Road and Highland Road
The final red surfacing works at Portsbridge roundabout will be scheduled soon, pending coordination with third parties.
More information about the Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan
- The Portsmouth Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) is Portsmouth’s visionary delivery scheme aligned with the government’s National Bus Strategy and aims to dramatically improve bus services in Portsmouth and to encourage passengers back to the bus.
- This programme is managed by an enhanced partnership between local bus companies Stagecoach South, First Solent and Portsmouth City Council.
- With a £48 million grant from the Department for Transport (DfT) the Portsmouth BSIP aims to increase bus usage in Portsmouth by engaging with the local community, and transforming the bus network in the city, so that it is faster, more reliable, and more affordable.
- The Portsmouth BSIP has already funded early morning travel, and later night and 24/7 services, tap on tap off technology, improved signage, fare free weekends to encourage residents to try the bus, Christmas Day bus services and much more, with even more exciting developments planned for 2025.
- More information can be found on our website: https://travel.portsmouth.gov.uk/public-transport.