The Bicycle Advocacy Group said today that it was concerned about the Ombudsman’s recent objections to the revised shared space bus lane, adding that the concept was safer than most residential roads.
Bus lanes, it said, were essential for a more efficient bus service. Placing a speed restricted bus lane alongside the main carriageway, rather than taking up one of the two lanes, would appear to be both safe and efficient for both drivers and residents alike.
"The shared space concept that restricts speeds to residential speed has consistently been proven in other European cities to be safer than most residential roads, mainly because these are seen as pedestrian priority areas. Add to that a speed regulated bus gate, by a low emissions regulated fleet, the retention of the existing trees and residential parking, and the slip road becomes a much more ‘liveable’ environment for residents."