TWO bus lanes in Halesowen will be permanently axed in a bid to cut congestion in the town centre – but a third will remain in force.

The move, costing £2,500, follows pleas from councillors and motorists to scrap the lanes in Bromsgrove Road and westbound on Queensway.

Cabinet member for transportation Councillor Kurshid Ahmed is due to agree to their removal tomorrow (Friday) after a 12-month trial suspension showed minimal impact on buses.

Passenger transport authority Centro had objected particularly to the scrapping of the Queensway eastbound lane which was not included in the trial.

But Councillor Nick Gregory, who campaigned for all the bus lanes to be removed, vowed to continue pressing for its removal at least on a trial basis.

He said: “I am elated that the bus lanes in Halesowen will be permanently removed following my campaign.

“This has been a great success for the people of Halesowen and commuters that use this route.

“Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems, from the Queensway to Bromsgrove Road, still remains and causes confusion with drivers.”

The bus lanes were installed prior to the building of the bus station and were supposed to be removed following its opening in 2008 but have remained in place ever since.