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."

The group called for more ‘shared space concept’ and traffic calming in residential areas. It noted that many other residential, particularly paved and tiled, streets often have no pavements and experience higher traffic speeds.
 
"Shared space reduces the  tendency for this to happen, as it is very clear that pedestrians become equal road users and car drivers have to drive more appropriately."
 

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