One of Norwich's busiest roads has been labelled "increasingly dangerous" as bus drivers continue to avoid using the £400,000 allocated lane.

Safety fears were sparked after a 24/7 bus lane was installed in Cromer Road, Hellesdon, two years ago.

Locals and councillors called for urgent changes as cars had to venture into oncoming traffic due to vehicles parking on the side of the road where there were no double yellow lines.

Norwich Evening News: The bus lane in Cromer Road was installed two years agoThe bus lane in Cromer Road was installed two years ago (Image: Denise Bradley)

READ MORE: Norwich's zero emission bid scuppered after government funding blow

And two years later, a review is being undertaken by Norfolk County Council's highways team as city folk complain about bus drivers refusing to use their allocated space - and instead driving in the middle lane. 

"It is a problem," said Shelagh Gurney, who represents Hellesdon North West on Broadland District Council and is the area's county councillor.

"Bus companies have been told they shouldn't be using the middle lane. 

"The road is very dangerous still and there is now a report pending on the effectiveness of the bus lane."

Before it was approved by the Transforming Cities joint committee, made up of county, city and district councillors, 457 people objected to the plans.

Weeks after it was given the green light, locals warned there was not enough room in the new lanes if a bus went past a large HGV - and called for the bus lane to only be used by public transport in peak times.

Norwich Evening News: Norfolk County Council's Highways team will now be reviewing the effectiveness of the bus laneNorfolk County Council's Highways team will now be reviewing the effectiveness of the bus lane (Image: Denise Bradley)

READ MORE: £4m road revamp 'will lead to traffic congestion and resentment'

"We will be meeting with the highways team to discuss solutions once the report is published," said Mrs Gurney. 

"Residents have been telling me the road is increasingly dangerous and there are still problems with it.

"We will of course wait to see what the report says, but in the meantime I will continue to work with residents to see how this can be solved."

The complaints come as work on another 24-hour bus lane is due to start in Dereham Road next month.