DEADLOCK holding up a major review of bus lanes across the city has finally been broken - after bus operators got on board.

Glasgow City Council wants to introduce sweeping changes to the controversial bus lane system - including abolishing 24-hour lanes in favour of 7am-7pm enforcement.

But the moves require agreement from city bus operators as well as Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).

As reported in the Evening Times, despite a year of negotiations, the groups - known as the Statutory Quality Partnership (SQP) - had been unable to reach a consensus with First Bus said to be the only objectors.

It was thought an independent arbitrator might be called in to mediate but yesterday the bus operator decided to back the plans during a last ditch meeting.

It is understood First Glasgow had been concerned about the impact of the proposed changes on passengers but they were said to be satisfied after lengthy talks.

Drivers and motoring experts have previously hit out the the 24-hour lanes, pointing out that there are no round the clock bus services in the city and drivers are being hit with £60 fines when there are no services on the road.

There are 16 camera monitored bus lanes across the city with 11 operating 24 hours a day.

The bus lane review was first promised by Glasgow City Council two years ago.

But it might take another year before drivers notice any changes.

The council will now start the process of amending the Traffic Regulation Orders covering the city’s bus lanes.

This statutory requirement, involving public consultation, could take up to 12 months.

Glasgow City Council announced in April 2014 that it was to carry out a major review of the lanes across the city.

It was said to be the first review of the lanes since they were introduced 24 years prior and the council initially said it would be complete by the end of 2014.

It came after an Evening Times campaign highlighted the difficulties faced by drivers - including one man who was fined while rushing to his dying mother-in-law's bed side on Christmas Day.

His fine was cancelled after the Evening Times highlighted his case.

And the council since agreed to suspend the bus lanes on Christmas Day.

In March 2015 the council roads bosses came up with changes they would like to make - scrapping 24 hour lanes for 7am-7pm lanes and extending the operation of peak time lanes from 4.30pm-6.30pm to 4.30pm-7pm, so that all enforcement ended at the same time.

Councillor Malcolm Balfour, SNP transport spokesman, who has been campaigning on the issue said: "We now finally have a light at the end of the tunnel.

"I would like to thank those who have worked to help get to this point.

"We still have a long process ahead of us but at least we are moving in the right direction."

A GCC spokeswoman said: “Now that an agreement has been reached we can carry out a formal consultation to allow the public to make their views known about our proposed changes.”