| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Would opening bus lanes make any difference? (2) | |
| Posted by: | Chris Calvi-Freeman | |
| Date/Time: | 10/03/15 23:04:00 |
| Ah, a fun thread to read on my day off here in seldom-congested Wellington. I could guess the content and thrust of just about all the posts just by reading the posters' names. No proves for guessing which "side" I support, having been responsible for many of the CHR bus lanes and making little apology for doing so. Even on a weekend, CHR is likely to carry more people by bus than by car. There seems little to be gained in destroying the reliability of the bus service in these circumstances, thereby "driving" people (NPI) back into their cars. And the bus lanes, while not pretending to be segregated cycle lanes do provide a level of comfort and encouragement for those who can and are willing to cycle, thus reducing pressure on road space. I do get annoyed when those for whom a disability makes cycling, walking or bus use impossible, use this as an argument for the unfettered right of everyone to expect to use their cars at all times and in all circumstances without the acceptance that the roads simply won't cope. I don't think the rights of a small number of people with disabilities should outweigh a much much larger number of public transport users to also go about their business - although I do understand the frustrations and everyday challenges faced by those with limited mobility. As for conspiracy theories regrading parking fines and CCTV lane enforcement, I can say that in my time in Hounslow I never let the revenue issue influence my attempts to do what I considered appropriate in helping to plan for special issues such as the Hammersmith flyover closures, although a certain senior officer thankfully no longer with LBH certainly didn't help. If there is any lack of forward planning, intervention or interagency cooperation nowadays, it's more likely to be simply the outcome of the cost-driven reduction in relevant professional resources within the council, although TfL never seems to be similarly affected. Cheers to all CCF |