CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLOR LAUNCHES ON-LINE PETITION OVER WESTBURY ROAD BUS CORRIDOR CHAOS!
The route into the city, which now forms part of the controversial £78 million Greater Bristol Bus Network, is causing tremendous problems of congestion, pollution and delays for motorists and public transport users alike - arising from the new restricted road layout.
Tailbacks for inbound vehicles often stretch all along this part of the Downs as far back as Falcondale Road, forcing many motorists to seek alternative passage down nearby residential streets.
Now, Cllr Gollop has tabled a series of questions to Cllr Tim Kent, the Lib Dem Executive Member for Transport, for the next meeting of Full Council (Tuesday, 19th June) asking what action he intends to take to remedy with this situation.
In addition, he has launched a petition on Bristol City Council's own website demanding the scrapping or redesigning of this section of the dedicated bus lane.
Cllr Gollop (Con, Westbury on Trym) said: “The level of traffic chaos created on Westbury Road is absolutely intolerable.
“The irony is not lost on local people that a bus corridor, intended to speed public transport travel and cut pollution, is in practice having precisely the opposite effect.
“We warned that the Whiteladies Road/Westbury Road scheme had numerous obvious design flaws such as the unnecessary narrowing of roads, obstructive bus stops and inevitable pinch points where buses and cars are forced to share space.
“Motorists are being displaced down unsuitable residential streets in their efforts to avoid the lengthy queues.
“It is time for traffic planners to rethink the arrangements for Westbury Road and come up with a solution. Urgent action needs to be taken.”
Anyone wishing to add their name to the epetition should log onto http://epetitions.bristol.gov.uk/epetition_core/ and follow the 'view' petitions link to be found there.
CONTACT GEOFF GOLLOP tel: 07767 250755
Note to Editor: Please find a copy of the tabled questions and e-petition below.
Questions from Councillor Geoff Gollop to Councillor Tim Kent, Executive Member for Budget & Transport, at the meeting of Full Council on Tuesday, 19th June 2012
Greater Bristol Bus Network (GBBN) A4018 Whiteladies-Westbury Road Corridor
1. Is the Executive Member aware of the excessive traffic delays caused by the Greater Bristol Bus Network bus lane imposed on the inbound section of Westbury Road from Henleaze Road to North View?
2. Is the Executive Member conscious that in the rush hour both buses and cars now have to queue for a significant period of time before the buses can have access to the bus lane?
3. Has the Executive Member been briefed that no action can be taken until the road works in North View are completed?
4. If the answer to the previous question is yes, does he appreciate that this excuse is in fact a red herring, as these road works have no impact on the inbound traffic flow?
5. Can the Executive Member advise me as to the daily amount of additional CO2 emission created as a result of this bus lane?
6. I know that the Executive Member is both pragmatic and practical; in the circumstances, will he take immediate action to remedy this ridiculous situation?
EPETITION reads:-
We, the undersigned, call on the Executive Member for Transport to take urgent and immediate action to remedy the ridiculous traffic gridlock being created by the Greater Bristol Bus Network.
Specifically, the bus lane on Westbury Road between Henleaze Road and North View, inbound, (along the A4018 Whiteladies-Westbury Road Corridor) is causing significant tailbacks to traffic. As a result, delays are such that buses are held up in traffic queues as far back as Falcondale Road.
The new bus lane has resulted in all road users, car and bus alike, taking longer over their journey times, with considerable increases in local traffic pollution and rat-running in neighbouring roads. Consequently, there is a real and obvious need to scrap or redesign this particular route.
