Work starts on bus improvements

Let me start with my standard apology for letting blogging slip for a couple of months. I was away for most of June, then I’ve had back problems which have made typing for any length of time tricky. There’s lots of news to cover at the moment – much of it very good – so hopefully I’ll discipline myself to blog regularly for the rest of the summer.

First up is to report that work has begun on upgrading the bus route that runs along Whiteladies Road, as part of a major project variously known as GBBN or ‘showcase routes’. The whole package, which is mainly being funded by national government and First Bus, includes improving bus stops with disabled access and real-time information boards, installing peak time bus lanes, narrowing pedestrian crossings, introducing short-term shopper parking, putting in new cycle lanes and even some tree planting. I’ve been a big fan of this project and I’m really excited at seeing it getting easier-to-use buses on Whiteladies Road, as I often do. The results of the consultation that was undertaken earlier in the year have just been published.

The first bit of work has started opposite the BBC, where the pavement is being resculpted to make a more substantial bus stop with straight-on access for wheelchair users and other people with mobility problems. Ironically, it’s building work like this that can start most easily – painting new lines takes far longer due to the tedious legal process that has to be gone through. It seems bizarre to me that the Council can build on the road where it likes, but that a stretch of yellow paint needs to be advertised in the London Gazette!

There are two outstanding issues that I am still working on. First is the reworking of the junction with Cotham Hill. A significant new section of pavement is being built to make the junction safer (by forcing cars to slow before turning) and improve flow (by letting pedestrians cross quicker and so reducing waiting time). This will be outside Chandos Deli and what is set to be Costa Coffee. Discussions with residents and traders is on-going as to what might be put on the new pavement – current thinking is temporary seating, a community noticeboard, signs to the shops on Cotham Hill and a tree or two.

Secondly, I am still in discussion with various people about the plans to make some of the side roads off Whiteladies Road into one-way or ‘no entry’. This is intended to improve traffic flow by reducing the number of places where cars sit and turn off. It also means that new pedestrian islands can be put in to make the road more ‘permeable’ – i.e. easier to cross. However, one way systems need plenty of thought as the law of unintended consequences often gets in the way!

The whole raft of improvements is going to take something like a year to complete. This is going cause a little upheaval for a while, so please bear with it and remember that the ends justifies the means...