'Traffic has got worse since new bus lane' say shopkeepers in Fishponds, Bristol
SHOPKEEPERS in Fishponds say traffic congestion has got even worse since a new bus lane was introduced on a busy road.
Work on the multi-million-pound showcase bus route in Fishponds Road was completed in December.
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Martyn Hancock, left, and shopkeeper Leigh Cooper at the junction of Fishponds Road and Manor Road, Bristol
It was aimed at enhancing public transport, cycling and walking and improving the appearance of the road. But traders say the rush-hour gridlock is more severe now than it was before the arterial route was changed to include more sets of traffic lights, new bus stops and different parking arrangements.
Martyn Hancock, who runs a charity advice centre in Fishponds Road and a transport service for disabled people, believes morning tailbacks now last an hour longer.
The 62-year-old believes the main culprit for the extra delays is a new set of traffic lights at the junction with Manor Road, which he feels should be replaced with a mini-roundabout.
He says huge queues of vehicles are held back by red lights at the junction, as only a few cars file out from Manor Road every few minutes.
Mr Hancock, who lives in Fishponds, said jams stretched from Fishponds to Staple Hill and Downend between 7.15am and 10am from Monday to Thursday last week. He said tailbacks had typically lasted from 7.15am until 9am before the road works started.
He began to survey traffic conditions last week, when most commuters had returned to work after the Christmas and New Year break.
Mr Hancock said: “The traffic has got worse rather than better. I was watching a police car as it travelled 100 yards in 10 minutes.
“We never felt the traffic lights at Manor Road would benefit any bus lane.”
Mr Hancock witnessed traffic flowing more freely this week – but he puts the change down to motorists finding alternative routes after last week’s hold-ups.
He said: “I have a vested interest in seeing the traffic moving because I run a transport service for the disabled. We pick up 13 young people from across the city and take them to Ashley Down college. Our mileage has gone up because we’ve had to avoid the traffic jams in Fishponds and find alternative routes.”
Mr Hancock’s views were backed up by other traders in Fishponds Road.
Gary Hillard, owner of Doug Hillard Sports shop, said: “There’s a constant queue outside the old Woolworths shop near the traffic lights at Manor Road. There never used to be.
“It seems like the road is more congested now than it was before.”
Esther Leung, left, owner of the Wok Inn Chinese restaurant, said she had noticed traffic backing up behind buses stopped at bus stops.
She said: “It holds back the traffic as there are queues behind the buses. Overall, it’s too early to tell if the changes have improved things or not.”
Leigh Cooper, who runs Nature’s Genius health food shop and is chairman of Fishponds Business Forum, said: “There are cars stuck in traffic all the time now with these lights. In the past, with no lights, the traffic flowed with no difficulty.”
Kate Hartas, spokeswoman for Bristol City Council, said: “The Manor Road lights are not quite complete – new sensors are due to go in so that the signals can automatically ’read’ the amount of traffic waiting from further away.
“This is what is causing the problems at present. In the meantime, the signals team are making minor adjustments to improve the situation as far as possible. The signals include new pedestrian measures which are necessary on a busy stretch of main road.”
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by sheila2010
Thursday, January 19 2012, 7:45PM
“It took three changes of lights to turn right onto Fishponds Rd from Morrisons at 5pm this evening. One car got round at the first change, nothing got round at the second change as the traffic was stationary and I was the only car that got round on the third change and even then, I had my rear wheels on the yellow hatch of the junction! There are also delays here as cars turning right into Hockeys Lane from Fishponds Road seem to come round even when the lights have changed to red - or perhaps the timings on the lights haven't been set correctly!”
by bgreen123
Thursday, January 19 2012, 5:10PM
“congestion caused by too many cars - 'simple as that'??
er, obviously.”
by Pyronaught
Thursday, January 19 2012, 5:06PM
“bgreen123 - at least am right.”
by Fuzzhead
Thursday, January 19 2012, 4:48PM
“You've nailed it there, Pyronaught.
For example, the Straits end of Fishponds Rd never had a congestion problem. Now it does, after the er 'improvements' with extra unneccessary lights and crossings and bus lane/sticky out stops. No one will convince me that suddenly by magic it's gridlocked because of a sudden increase in cars over the last couple of weeks following that work, congestion that has never been present in all the 6 years I've lived here.
No, the problems have suddenly appeared after the idiotic changes made to the road layout by the council. Plain observation and common sense (which those responsible for the work seem unable to apply).”
by Pyronaught
Thursday, January 19 2012, 3:43PM
“@bggreen123 - congestion caused by too many cars - 'simple as that'?? No it's not. Congestion is caused when the transport system that was built for them (roads) get restricted to the extent that the traffic can no longer flow freely. Take a simple and real example of a new 'improvement - the stretch of Muller Road from the M32 roundabout up to the Shell garage. This used to be 2 lanes in each direction. Now, when you come off the roundabout heading to Fishponds you have 2 lanes - then, as if by magic - the 2 lanes narrow dramatically into one slightly wider than normal one!! Then they return to 2 lanes again. What kind of madness is that? on many occasions since this change, I have nearly been 'broadsided' by people in the right hand lane which disappears. That simple change has caused the traffic to slow down. The sticking out bus stops force the traffic to slow down. Additional and badly times traffic lights, slow the traffic down. Traffic that is continually slowed down and restricted into less lanes by the implementation of Bus and cycle lanes becomes congested. Same with your nose - when the mucus membranes become inflamed - they NARROW the nasal passageways and you are described as CONGESTED. Understand now?”
by Charlespk
Thursday, January 19 2012, 1:39PM
“Buses rarely take people where they actually want to go.
It like ringing the council or BT. . You can never get through to who you need to speak to. . You just get passed around or get left stuck in a queue.
Public transport just becomes more and more obsolete and unaffordable.”
by DM_Fishponds
Thursday, January 19 2012, 12:38PM
“Hey everyone . . .
Cllr Tim Kent has been commenting on this website this morning. Here . . .
http://tinyurl.com/6s5gfht
Let's hope he addresses the questions aimed at him regarding this story next.”
by Fuzzhead
Thursday, January 19 2012, 10:37AM
“Spot on, Dingslady.
I used to use First bus to get to work but now choose to drive due to the shoddy, expensive service. I don't have a problem with cyclists and some of my colleagues who live closer than I do prefer to cycle in.
The Manor Rd lights are just one of 9 sets now in the short stretch of road between Cross Hands and Lodge Causeway. Madness.
Anything to say to us, Tim 'NIMBY listening' Kent? No?”
by Dingslady
Thursday, January 19 2012, 1:30AM
“I usually avoid the cyclist v motorist slanging matches, but I have to say that most motorists would just love to get out of their cars onto buses if only there was a decent bus service. Here's an analogy: If you were trying to help someone stuck up a tree, wouldn't you just provide them with a ladder instead of pelting them with missiles to force them down? It's not rocket science.”
by bgreen123
Wednesday, January 18 2012, 11:24PM
“looks like George's stalker has 8 separate log-ins...”