How can one bus lane cause so many arguements?

[P156KWJ]

Thought I'd raise this issue about a very controversial traffic calming scheme set up by Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) in Summer 2007. Almost a year after being introduced, the majority of people's viewpoints haven't changed.
The new system is called a 'bus plug' and as opposed to a normal bus lane, they cut off a section of road and only allow buses, emergency services, and cycles to pass through on the road. They are placed on the former A612 Nottingham-Newark road, one of the busiest routes in and out of the city, and it was decided to take the road on a new route to relieve congestion, by building a new bypass. The reason for the masses of congestion before was a consequence of a railway bridge next to a junction, which caused a bottleneck as it is narrow, and the road wasn't designed for the sheer amount of traffic using it. The bypass was under construction between early 2005 and April 2007, and the massive roadworks were a big headache as I lived right next to them!
In June 2007, the bus plugs were constructed and enforced. Almost immediately, people were not happy and started driving through them irratically, and some have even vandalised them as well. In July 2007, a protest was held, and residents barred buses from passing through, and managed to get the attention of the local press and even some people who turned up in favour of them (including myself!). Ever since, NCC hasn't properley inforced the rules and people still drive through them every minute without being caught. There have been at least 5 accidents I can think of already, as the plugs are single lane.
To avoid confusion, here is a description of what a plug looks like:
When you approach one, there are sensors on the floor to detect the weight of a vehicle. If it is heavy (eg a bus) the traffic lights will turn green. Other than this, the lights are permanently red. In the middle, it narrows to allow cycle lanes each side. This is the same on both sides. Despite this, there is no physical barrier there.
To avoid the plugs, users now have to use the new bypass to get around the residential area next to Carlton-le-willows school (where I attend), and back round to meet the road from the other side.

Here are the former routes and the new routes for car drivers:
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk199/provincial156/bp.jpg
LINE: Former route
LINE: New route
BAR: Bus plug

This is a recent article about the protests: http://helenholt.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/home/newshome/prarticle.htm?id=103071&Environment=t;

so what do you think? Should they be taken away to save a few extra miles? Is it coasting the environment and our pockets driving the extra distance? Or is it worth it, having a quieter street and promoting buses. You decide

 

[Mojo]

There are loads of bus gates using different technology over all the country. I still challenge the effectiveness of bus improvement schemes as poor value for money.

 

[gordonthemoron]

It would be better if the 'bus plug' was replaced with a guided bus lane, like in Leeds, cars cannot drive in them as there is a gap in the middle and the car would fall in and have it's underside damaged

 

[jopsuk]

There's a ring of bus gates around the centre in Cambridge- some are even two-way. They use units fitted to the front of the vehicles for activation- all the local buses, taxisand emegancy service vehicles have them- and some of the private vehicles of council dignitaries. These all have risining bollards, and one is connected to an adjacent pelican crossing, so the bollard won't go down unless the lights are green.

Actually, come to think of it, there's a couple of points further out of the centre have gates without bollards, and these might be the same sort of thing you describe. The two I can think of are at the end of bus lanes.

Of course, all that pales into insignificance when compared to the delights of laying guided busway along prime Beeching-closed rail routes. Of course, most of the benifit of the busway will be lost, as the geography means that as soon as it hits the city, the guided buses have to mingle with the normal traffic. So they'll get stuck where they always have. Hurrah!

 

[Tom B]

I don't think guided busways do anything that a dedicated bus lane doesn't. Quite apart from the cost, you need to have guided buses on the routes using the busway at all times - chances of the likes of Firstbus managing this are around nil - and such buses have problems elsewhere because of the protruding wheels.

 

[Coxster]

Going off-topic now, has anyone ever been to Runcorn? They don't have guided busways, but have dedicated roads for buses only. There was one near where my Mum's friend used to live. The buses just went over a bridge, with all other traffic having to do a three mile detour to get to the same point on just the other side of the railway

 

[gingerheid]

Re the original topic.

What would people rather have? Massive congestion?

 

[tramboy]

I think people would rather not have to drive the three miles round (ie the inconvenience) of getting back to their house, when with the congestion it took them longer but it seemed more direct.

Personally, the bus plugs are a good idea...and as NCT are about to throw Versas at the Pathfinder 100 route, hopefully those people who currently use their cars will swap to the new, leather seated (a first for NCT I believe!) buses.

The County Council haven't backed down at their recent meeting, and if they put enforcement cameras at the lights, my guess is that they could gain a fair amount of revenue...perhaps tickets would stop people going through red lights...which I always thought was illegal anyway!

Cheers


Dave

 

[Metroland]

Totally against guided busways, a silly idea considering buses aren't well, guided. Bus lanes should only be put in where they can prove capacity can be increased.

Personally I think more cycle lanes should be put in.

 

[P156KWJ]

I think people would rather not have to drive the three miles round (ie the inconvenience) of getting back to their house, when with the congestion it took them longer but it seemed more direct.

Personally, the bus plugs are a good idea...and as NCT are about to throw Versas at the Pathfinder 100 route, hopefully those people who currently use their cars will swap to the new, leather seated (a first for NCT I believe!) buses.

The County Council haven't backed down at their recent meeting, and if they put enforcement cameras at the lights, my guess is that they could gain a fair amount of revenue...perhaps tickets would stop people going through red lights...which I always thought was illegal anyway!

Cheers


Dave

The versas went in to service on monday 'round here on the 100. And they aren't the first to have leather seats, the 30 year old NCT buses had green leather seats that you used to stick to when it was hot in the summer