| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Chiswick gridlocked once again | |
| Posted by: | Paul Pryce | |
| Date/Time: | 08/03/15 09:34:00 |
| When people become either dogmatically pro-bus or pro-car these discussions start to become sterile and rather pointless. Two points need to be accepted by everyone: firstly the London bus network is a key part of our transport infrastructure particularly for those on lower incomes and bus lanes are critical in ensuring it operates efficiently. Secondly, given that the Chiswick Bridge closure was well-publicised the majority of people stuck in the traffic yesterday and who will be stuck today probably had a good reason to be on the road and no reasonable alternative. Andrew O'Sullivan seems to have made some constructive suggestions but I think we should remember that intra-agency rivalry probably precludes any serious consideration being given to measure that might reduce the disruption caused by the closure of Chiswick Bridge. It is TfL that have closed the bridge but Chiswick High Road is the responsibility of Hounslow Council. There is probably some provision for signage to be funded by TfL on Hounslow's roads but there is unlikely to be any compensation given for revenue lost if the bus lanes were closed. Frustrated drivers will be nipping into the bus lanes all day making this weekend a bonanza for Hounslow. It is therefore very unlikely that they would pursue proposals for temporary suspensions even if they could be shown to generally improve the flow of traffic. |