Thursday 19 February 2009
Or are they?
Several phone calls this morning (Thursday 19th) when the 76 was spotted using All Saints and Abbotts again - and then it went quiet and they seem to have gone ...
They're back
Residents at home on Thursday morning (19th Feb) will know that the decision to stop running the 76 down All Saints Road can only have been temporary, and the noise and intrusion on privacy has returned with the buses.
Councillors have a meeting with the company at Yardley Wood garage on Wednesday afternoon.
Councillors have a meeting with the company at Yardley Wood garage on Wednesday afternoon.
Tuesday 17 February 2009
A bit more news
A resident on Abbotts Road spoke at some length to an operations manager and her assistant(?) from the company yesterday (Monday 16th). They seemed surprised to learn of some of the things that have been happening in our area, such as occasional use by the 76 of Hazelhurst Rd, the use of the last part of Abbotts Rd as a de facto bus stop to let school students off before the bus reaches Vicarage Rd ...
There is apparently some indication of a recognition by the company that the route is not satisfactory, but their own operational considerations (driver rest times, published timetables etc) obviously put constraints on what can be changed and on what timescale. We as residents are not unreasonable, but we need definite assurances, preferably in writing, of any changes planned and definite dates by which they will be implemented.
There's a meeting scheduled for next week between the company and the councillors, and residents will no doubt wish to make sure that their views are clearly represented there - so do please maintain communication with the councillors.
There is apparently some indication of a recognition by the company that the route is not satisfactory, but their own operational considerations (driver rest times, published timetables etc) obviously put constraints on what can be changed and on what timescale. We as residents are not unreasonable, but we need definite assurances, preferably in writing, of any changes planned and definite dates by which they will be implemented.
There's a meeting scheduled for next week between the company and the councillors, and residents will no doubt wish to make sure that their views are clearly represented there - so do please maintain communication with the councillors.
Monday 16 February 2009
Update
When a sizeable number of residents chose to park by the kerb for a few hours, it became even more obvious than it was already that these roads are unsuitable for regular bus traffic. Officials were seen taking photographs, but as far as we know they didn't take the opportunity to speak to any residents. A reporter from the Birmingham Mail did, however, so expect a bit of press coverage shortly! From early on Monday morning, it would appear that neither the 27 nor the 76 has been using the road. Let's hope this can all be sorted out in a permanent and satisfactory way soon.
A reminder: no-one we know of is advocating the taking of any dangerous or illegal action of any kind.
Nor is the reaction of local residents NIMBY-ism: we don't want to see bus routes suddenly imposed on ANY quiet, residential roads where they are unsuitable. We value public transport as part of an integrated, properly planned service to the whole community.
A reminder: no-one we know of is advocating the taking of any dangerous or illegal action of any kind.
Nor is the reaction of local residents NIMBY-ism: we don't want to see bus routes suddenly imposed on ANY quiet, residential roads where they are unsuitable. We value public transport as part of an integrated, properly planned service to the whole community.
Sunday 15 February 2009
Minor victory!
It seems that the 85 has now been re-routed. Unfortunately, as no representative from the bus company seems to think it necessary to keep residents informed, we only know this by watching what happens. So let's see what happens with the 76 ...
Parking
Several residents have agreed that from Sunday evening (15th Feb), they will park their vehicles alongside the kerb in Abbotts Road and All Saints Road. If the vehicle is legal (taxed, insured etc.) and facing in the direction of the traffic flow, and is not opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, it appears that this is in accordance with the Highway Code (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069860), and the councillor's blog (see link) suggests the same. The more people who do this, the more effective it will be.
Friday 13 February 2009
Brief history of the problem
On January 25th, residents along the stretch of All Saints Road that runs between Howard Road and Abbotts Road found that THREE bus routes had started to use the road at frequent intervals. Two double decker buses, for the 76 and newly-introduced 85 routes, and the single-decker 27 have been passing houses in this stretch of road at an interval of roughly one every 5 minutes (between 7a.m. and 7p.m). Residents on Abbotts Road, who have previously had the 27 turning in from the one-way section of All Saints Road, have had these two new double-decker buses added to the traffic.
There has been a general agreement among residents contacted that this situation is totally unacceptable, for the following reasons:
1) National Express West Midlands gave residents no prior notification that this would be happening, and there was NO consultation of any kind.
2) All Saints Road was not a bus route when we bought our properties, and if it had been, we may well have chosen somewhere else to live.
3) The imposition of this nuisance reduces the value of our properties.
4) There has been an increase in noise, pollution and danger from this traffic.
5) The buses add to the congestion on the road, and private vehicle traffic seems to have followed the new bus traffic.
6) There is a considerable loss of privacy as double-decker buses pass close to front bedroom windows.
Many residents have contacted local councillors, the local MP and the travel company, and various meetings have been held and emails and phone calls exchanged. Some vague assurances have been received that these arrangements are temporary and under review. However, we have had no definite confirmation that any changes will be made, and some of the dates we have been given by which, for example, doube deckers would be replaced by singles, have come and gone without any effect.
There has been a general agreement among residents contacted that this situation is totally unacceptable, for the following reasons:
1) National Express West Midlands gave residents no prior notification that this would be happening, and there was NO consultation of any kind.
2) All Saints Road was not a bus route when we bought our properties, and if it had been, we may well have chosen somewhere else to live.
3) The imposition of this nuisance reduces the value of our properties.
4) There has been an increase in noise, pollution and danger from this traffic.
5) The buses add to the congestion on the road, and private vehicle traffic seems to have followed the new bus traffic.
6) There is a considerable loss of privacy as double-decker buses pass close to front bedroom windows.
Many residents have contacted local councillors, the local MP and the travel company, and various meetings have been held and emails and phone calls exchanged. Some vague assurances have been received that these arrangements are temporary and under review. However, we have had no definite confirmation that any changes will be made, and some of the dates we have been given by which, for example, doube deckers would be replaced by singles, have come and gone without any effect.
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