TAXIS and motorcycles will be able to use High Wycombe’s London Road bus lane from the end of this week.

An 18-month trial of the new scheme begins on Friday, December 12.

Feedback from the public and traffic officials will determine whether the change becomes permanent.

Bucks County Council said the move is in line with Government policy to promote alternative ways of travelling.

Val Letheren, Buckinghamshire's cabinet member for transportation, said: “This bus lane has been in place since 1997, so it's only right that we revisit the restrictions and look again at how to optimise this facility.

“We’ve had a number of requests to allow taxis and motorcycles to share the bus lane, so we are seeing if this more objective view of using the bus lane brings benefits to the travelling public.”

She said the aim was to make life better for everyone coming in to town.

She added: “I would encourage people using this route during peak hours to let us have their views, so we can determine whether this is a feasible long-term solution."

The London Road bus lane operates during peak hours from 7-10am and 4-6.30pm Monday to Friday and currently can only be used by buses and cycles.

Another new initiative to help taxis in Wycombe town centre also begins on Friday.

Taxis will be permitted to turn right from Wycombe High Street into Corporation Street, a move only buses could make up to now.

Comments on both trials, which run from Friday until June 12, 2009, can be sent to Trish Eastham, legal and democratic services, County Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 1UA.