From another forum:
Evening Standard, 2 July 2003
Motoring organisations and businesses today attacked the spread of London bus lanes, claiming they make traffic congestion worse.
Cars are being squeezed into ever-decreasing road space as the number of bus lanes grows, according to the RAC Foundation. There are now around 1,000, of which 160 have been introduced since Ken Livingstone became Mayor in 2000.
The complaints follow the Evening Standard's revelation that *a Kew Bridge bus lane has been suspended after protests that it was often empty and caused long tailbacks in other lanes.*
The Mayor's Transport for London office today admitted that two more - in Upper Street, Islington, and at Bishopsgate - are under review.
The RAC now wants TfL to review all bus lanes to identify any which are adding to congestion suffered by other road users. It has singled out six bus lanes: Upper Street, Camberwell New Road, South Lambeth Road, Haymarket, Nine Elms at Vauxhall, and Knightsbridge.
Kevin Delaney, the RAC's traffic and road safety manager, said: "Bus lanes should reflect the amount of traffic and level of bus usage. In too many cases they stand empty next to several lanes of nose-to-tail traffic.
"Every bus lane should be reviewed to see how many buses use it, what problems they face and any problems they cause for other vehicles."
Businesses and residents in Knightsbridge say the bus lane there - extended by TfL late last year despite protests - has significantly increased congestion suffered by London-bound traffic on the A4. Harrods and the Knightsbridge Association are urging TfL to reconsider plans to make the scheme permanent.
The extension of the westbound bus lane on Nine Elms, running from Vauxhall to Battersea, saw similar dismay among local businesses.
Mike Liggins, general manager of the Covent Garden Market Authority, said: "The new restrictions on the extended bus lane prevent its use by commercial vehicles. On a road running past the two entrances to the market, this seems a pointless and unnecessary restriction in terms of deliveries."
The bus lane on Upper Street changes from single to double-lane on the busy stretch approaching Angel Tube station. At this point black cabs are prevented from using it and their drivers say there is gridlock as they struggle to re-enter other lanes.
A TfL spokesman said: "Bus lanes are fundamental to the Mayor's transport strategy to ensure bus services become quicker, more reliable, efficient, easy to use, accessible and convenient."
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Any more of this and we might be in danger of a common sense epidemic!
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