"wafflycat" <w*a*ff£y£cat*@£btco*nn£ect.com> wrote in
news:
[email protected]:
> I think it's a damn fool idea, masquerading as being 'green' I mean.
> One of the few cycle farcilities I find useful in Norwich are the
> bus/cycle lanes: especially in times of high traffic volume. Once
> lorries start going in them, it's the end of them basically, as other
> lorries *will* start using them. Sort of defeats the purpose as
> regards buses and cycling.
Personally, I think your subject title is more than a little
sensationalist. HGVs are not to be allowed in cycle lanes. They are to
be allowed to one bus lane (Newmarket Road), which cyclist may also use.
The primary purpose of those lanes is to speed the progress of public
transport, and not for our benefit. I view the lorries involved in this
scheme as public transport for goods, since companies will use the
public service rather than their own vehicles. In general, I find LGV
drivers more courteous and considerate than bus drivers, and I'd rather
have an LGV than a bus behind me any day. Compared to the hundreds of
buses and taxis those lanes carry each day, a few lorries are small
potatoes.
If it's properly policed, I think this scheme is a brilliant idea and I
really hope it's taken up where I live. The permitted lorries would need
to be easily identified and drivers who are not permitted to use bus
lanes taken to task. You know, that might even help us because better
policing might just dissuade some violators from making a dash down the
last few yards of a bus lane before a roundabout or junction. I know
that type of inconsiderate driving has given me more than a few close
calls.
As to being "green", I reckon that a few lorries on the move will emit
considerably less than many more slowly making their way through
congestion. Also, even a small reduction in the number of vehicles using
the road can only reduce congestion. That said, it's a pity the lorry
they've bought is Euro-3 not Euro-4.
Unfortunately, with the extra time and double-handling elements
inevitable in this scheme, I can't see it being a success even if
they're allowed in the bus lane.
JMHO,
Geoff