Taxi drivers have won a fight to use a Stevenston bus lane for a 12-month trial period after it was approved at North Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet.

Jim McKerrell, of TOA Taxis, has been leading the fight to permit cabs access to the bus lane on the A738 Kilwinning Road.

As we reported previously, Jim submitted a petition North Ayrshire Council’s Audit and Scrutiny Committee in January. His request was scheduled to go towards Cabinet following further discussions.

Cabinet on Tuesday, June 11 approved the promotion of an experimental Traffic Regulation Order to enable taxis to use the lane for a period of 12 months and to allow the impacts of this to be monitored.

The executive summary recommendation to Cabinet said: “It is proposed that the full length of the bus lane be the subject of an experimental TRO permitting taxis to utilise the bus lane for a period of 12 months. This will allow Hackney licensed and private hire vehicles to utilise the bus lane.

"This would allow a sufficient period to assess its impact on bus services and incidences of misuse by non-taxi vehicles. The experimental nature of the TRO would also provide the council with the flexibility to rescind the order should the monitoring identify a sufficiently negative impact on bus services.”

Jim said following the decision: “I’m ecstatic. It’s been a long haul, a good 10 years on and off. This is going to benefit the general public who are using the taxis. I’m totally delighted, it’s fantastic. Thanks to the local community for backing the petition.”