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.
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It is temporary. due to the residents in the top of all saints parking dangerously and in turn not leaving room for a fire engine or ambulance to come down the road. People need to think if they park to stop a bus getting past just to spite the bus company(who wont care!) they are also stopping emergency vehicles - and putting other peoples lives at risk.
ReplyDeleteMy understanding is that the 85 has already been diverted to go along Howard Road and the others change to other Routes on Monday. so things are happening.
Please think before parking to spite buses. In turn you are stopping fire engines and ambulances. I truly hope no one in All Saints or surrounding areas need an ambulance but if you do seconds can count. Having to negociate badly parked cars can cost vital seconds.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention causing 40ft delivery lorries having to leave the one way section the wrong way....Please dont make the next thing someone being hurt not expecting something coming out of All Saints the wrong way be that a car turning into All Saints or a child crossing.
Please think this in perspective...a bus going past your house or someones life.
Thanks for these thoughtful comments, Em999.
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify a few things:
1) There is no suggestion we know of that anyone should break the law or park irresponsibly or dangerously. No motorist should go the wrong way down a one-way street, of course, and nothing local residents are doing should lead to this.
2) The objective is not to spite anyone, but to publicise the fact that the bus company has behaved inappropriately and arrogantly. Residents have not been consulted and firm assurances have not been given (we have been in contact with the bus company and local councillors but have been told only that the situation is under review). Meanwhile, the traffic on a quiet residential road has been increased, leading to potentially more dangerous conditions on an indefinite timescale. We hope that a short period of lawful action will make the company think again.
3) Provided vehicles are parked close to the kerb and in accordance with all relevant provisions of the Highway Code, access for emergency vehicles should not be restricted.