A controversial £5 million transport scheme for one of the busiest roads in Leicester is to set to get final approval tomorrow.
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby is set to sign off a scheme that will see bus lanes introduced along the A426 from Glen Parva into the city centre.
The project is a partnership between the city council and Leicestershire County Council, intended to ease congestion and speed up bus journey times.
It has been approved by County Hall's cabinet despite more than 4,000 people signing a petition opposing it. There have also been numerous demonstrations by residents.
Sir Peter, who is in charge of the city council's transport policy, said: "I have had to weigh up the benefits of the scheme with the concerns that have been raised.
"I have listened carefully to what the objectors had to say but I think it will be a good scheme.
"There will be a further chance for people to raise their concerns, should they want to, when there are consultations on traffic regulation orders."
The protestors have promised to fight on to prevent the project, claiming it is a waste of cash that will not deliver significantly shorter bus journey times.
They said the narrowing of pavements to make room for the bus lanes will put pedestrians at risk and there is no evidence the scheme will convince people to swap their cars for buses.
Richard Johnson, head of Glen Parva and Aylestone Action Group, said: "To be honest, as soon as the county council approved it, we knew the mayor would go a long with it.
"He thinks it will be good for the city.
"We are looking at writing to the local government ombudsman about the decision.
"We can't see how the councils can just ignore so many people."
The scheme, which also includes junction improvements and speed limit reductions, has been altered to remove a section of bus lane on Soar Valley Way.
Mr Johnson, who met Sir Peter to discuss the matter on Thursday, said: "We agree with a lot of what is being proposed but not the bus lanes.
"We are hoping there may still be some changes that can be made because it is, as it stands, a bad scheme."
The city council has set aside £1.5 million for the project. County Hall is putting £600,000 into the project, with bus firm Arriva adding £300,000 and the Government £2.5 million .
