Bristol City Council’s proposal to introduce new bus lanes on the A4018 Passage Road has been met with fierce criticism, particularly from Bristol Live readers and Conservative councillors who have labelled the move as “traffic vandalism.”
The planned bus lane aims to reduce delays for the Number 1 bus during peak times. However, there are growing concerns about the potential repercussions for drivers and the possibility of increased congestion along this vital commuter route.
Conservative councillors have lambasted a scheme for new bus lanes in Bristol, branding them as “traffic vandalism”. The council is planning to roll out the new bus lanes on a section of the A4018 Passage Road, which is a major artery running through the north of the city.
The bus lane is intended to run between the Crow Lane roundabout and the top of Brentry Hill, operating only during peak hours to prevent the Number 1 bus from being ensnared in traffic. Nonetheless, worries have been voiced regarding the reduction of space for motorists, potentially leading to further congestion.
The A4018 serves as the principal route into the city centre from junction 17 of the M5 and Cribbs Causeway. During a meeting of the transport policy committee on October 24, council chiefs were implored to reconsider the proposals, which were condemned as a “colossal act of self-harm”.
Councillor Mark Weston, leader of the Conservative group, commented: “There’s still time to pull back on it. You’re going to artificially create congestion, and it’s going to be chock-a-block all the time.”
Reader G6anz believes: “There will be chaos. The road was reduced to a single lane while the new estate was being built. This caused huge tailbacks and congestion. Narrowing this important and well used road to the motorway and Cribbs shopping centre is nothing short of insanity. As for it being too late to change, I wonder why as the council seem to be able to change their minds at a whim on other money wastes.”
Commenter Kaylon64 writes: “Typical of Tories to moan on anything that’s to do with alternatives to car transport. Their party ruined buses by having them privatised, 18 years of Thatcherism boosted car use at the expense of alternatives so we’ve now got mass congestion with illegal levels of pollution.”
big rich adds: “Disgraceful. All that money wasted for 1 bus. No wonder council is nearly bankrupt.”
Over on our Facebook page – John Williams writes: “Bristol city council quite clearly want to make Bristol city impenetrable unless you are on a cycle or on a bus.”
Steve Russell adds: “The council need to send the money they robbed from motorists via CAZ and they can only spend it on cyclists or buses.”
Phil Potter thinks: “It’s endless. BCC driving people and businesses away. Look and learn from the USA election result. Coming to a tiny city in the UK very soon.”
Philip Bowden asks: “Why make more bus lanes when they are either not on time or cancelled.”
So how do you feel about the bus lanes? Let us know HERE or in the comments below.