MOTORCYCLISTS are to be allowed to use some bus lanes in Swindon in a year-long trial.

But the move has disappointed taxi drivers who have been campaigning for years to use the lanes themselves.

Signs are being put up from Monday showing bikers which lanes they will be able to ride on following approval from the Department of Transport.

Motorcyclists will only be able to use the lanes after the signs are in place.

A decision will be made on whether to make the scheme permanent after 12 months, depending on the results of monitoring and further approval from the Department of Transport.

In the meantime Swindon Council is asking that motorcyclists use the permitted bus lanes safely and with due consideration for other traffic and pedestrians.

Bob Sanders, team leader of Swindon Council's Transport Management department, said: "Motorcyclists will be able to use all 'withflow' bus lanes, where the bus lane heads in the same direction as traffic. The Swindon Transport Plan recognises the environmental benefits of motorcycles, in terms of fuel economy and less road space, and this policy is designed to be of advantage to them.

"The plan sees no environmental benefit to taxis using bus lanes."

The Evening Advertiser has long documented bids by the town's taxi drivers to use bus lanes first introduced in 1971 in Curtis Street in order to beat the jams.

John Gardner, manager of Millennium Radio cars, said: "We've been trying to use bus lanes for years. It would help customers, drivers, traffic flow everybody would be happier. I am biased, but I don't believe taxis are just any other cars. We are providing a public service and I believe taxis are allowed to use bus lanes in other places. It would ease up traffic I have hundreds of cars stuck in the morning rush hour and if they could use the lanes they would be a lot happier."

Millennium Radio Cars private hire driver Bob Mercer, 57, of Walcot, said: "I have been campaigning for bus lanes for 20 years. It would allow us to run a little bit more efficiently and stop us running late. We are a public service and we do carry people who are trying to keep urgent hospital appointments."

Peter Simpson, director of Link Radio Cars, said: "Good luck to the motorcyclists they are carrying about as many people around Swindon as the buses are anyway.

"It makes a lot of sense to let them use the bus lanes. We have asked the council if we can use the lanes as we would be able to provide a much better service to the public, and it would help us with work such as taking pregnant women to hospital which we do very often.

"So far, though, the response has been completely negative. I am disappointed we can't use the lanes but I'm not against the motorcycles using them."

Andrew Williams, motorcycle enthusiast and boss of Kingsdown based Swindon Classic Bikes, said: "It's about time too. I think it will help to ease congestion and make motorcycling safer. It will reduce the need for motorcyclists to weave in and out of traffic."

John Owen, managing director of bus company Thamesdown Transport, said: "I'm OK with the scheme. Motorcycles take up less toad space than cars, they are economical in terms of road space and the professional view is that their use should be encouraged. They will be travelling at the same speed as buses so I see no problem."

The move is contrary to bus lane policy adopted elsewhere, such as Cheltenham.

Laura Whiting, Cheltenham Council spokewoman, said: "Cheltenham Borough Council is supportive of cyclists, taxis and private hire cabs using bus lanes as they are part of the public transport facility and so we would allow them priority.

"We follow standard government guidance and don't allow motorcycles to use bus lanes, as they are not usually included within bus lane regulations."