Forum Topic

Was anyone else..

Stuck for 30mins on a bus on London Rd.this afternoon.?During this time,I saw 3 cyclists,2 using the designated lanes and one air headed pillock using the footpath.Thank you very much to whoever instigated these lanes,I suppose you get some kind of vicarious enjoyment from other people's frustration.

Keith Iddon ● 1079d38 Comments

The traffic jams in the REGION are becoming intolerable.Bus drivers must be fed up to their teeth. No wonder the bus companys are short of staff.My 237 bus last night took 2 hours to travel from Shepherds Bush to the Waterman's Art Centre. At Turnham Green the bus was stationary for 20 minutes as the trafgic lights in front changed from red to green without any movement. I missed a doctor's appointment as a result too.There must be a reason for such chaos.

Jim Lawes ● 1079d

It's a perfect man made storm,Jim.On Twickenham Rd(I erroneously called it London Rd. in my OP). we have had the closure of Church Street to traffic to appease the richer members of the community and to do our bit to save the planet(I paraphrase a well know local councillor who made such a spurious claim on this very site.I don't remember that being in any manifesto.) and two virtually useless in winter  cycle lanes that cater for a miniscule number of people in relation to other road users.Add in various road works sites and you have some idea of the reasons.

Keith Iddon ● 1079d

The 267 on Tuesday took 35 mins from Hammersmith Bus Station to Ravenscourt Park Station. King Street completely gridlocked by 2 delivery vehicles, a failed bus and no means to pass.This has to be the 3rd or 4th time in just the last 6 weeks.The total journey time to Brentford half Acre was 76 minutes.The 267 in the other direction from Isleworth is equally hopelessly delayed as are most routes to and from West Middx Hospital.And yes Driver sickness from fatigue and over reached hours is affecting most local operators of local routes. Yesterday took the H91 instead. Buses were running 19 to 23 mins behind schedule. Again King Street blocked mainly by other buses and huge queues.This journey also took over an hour to Ealing Road.  And it is the traffic lights that are causing the problems in the main. Not the road works. They are all over the place and not letting traffic flow.TfL are completely indignant and not willing to even do anything about this.It's simply not acceptable to get responses that suggest one "Walks or Cycles" nor are posters suggesting the same as some sort of justification for an appalling bus service which is clearly either utter incompetence of traffic management or quite deliberate. Given comments from one or two officials that "This is what we need to get people to use other means " I feel that it may be the latter and about time this was made clear.TfL will not produce journey times and when they do they are talking random journeys and between certain sections.However there best way is to compare timetables from 2017 ( before they started making alterations to justify Cycle Route delay causes ) and reductions in capacity and frequency.What the timetables do show is the actual journey times.Currently it is impossible to even compare.And why is it Cllr Lambert remains the only Councillor in Ealing and Hounslow who is daring to raise this consistently?What the heck is wrong with the Transport officers and the Cabinet lead who remain aloof entirely?And not a word from Ruth Cadbury or Rupa Huq as this affects a very wide area of residential and small businesses.

Raymond Havelock ● 1079d

I think even Cllr Lambert is starting to suffer as well when he is driving and has now on at least a couple of occasions reminded residents that Cllr Dunne has the portfolio and to contact her and not him

Paul Fisher ● 1079d

Keith, I'd say do not look to our councillors to help with this situation - they have just made things worse with their weird obsessions. Anyone who thinks that cars are just going to disappear is barmy, but the knock-on effects are also affecting public transport, which the very same people recommend that we should use more. The arrogance of those elected is because of the stranglehold of one party, which lends itself to the frame of mind that they can do whatever they please and still retain their lucrative positions.

Vanessa Smith ● 1079d

'I think even Cllr Lambert is starting to suffer as well when he is driving and has now on at least a couple of occasions reminded residents that Cllr Dunne has the portfolio and to contact her and not him' Recommend a good medium did he?

Vanessa Smith ● 1079d

No argument here,Vanessa.People can be in office for too long and risk becoming part of the general problem.

Keith Iddon ● 1078d

I notice with irony that Cllr Dunneis to be the key Council representativelaying  a wreath at the forthcoming Remembrance Day service in Brentford to pay respect to the war dead.A very inappropriate choice in my view.The lady should learn to pay respect to the living instead

Jim Lawes ● 1078d

What a ludicrous comment.

Anne England ● 1078d

Yes.

Keith Iddon ● 1078d

I took another bus journey on a 267 down Twickenham Rd,not as congested as t'other day.I went all the way to Twickenham,5 cyclists spotted,one on footpath.And it was a nice,sunny day.

Keith Iddon ● 1076d

267 bus from Twickenham 4PM this eavening,20 mins on Twickenham Rd with its cycle lane either side,not one cyclist on it but one on the footpath.There's our money well spent,I think not.

Keith Iddon ● 1063d

Same in Acton. Cycle lanes narrowing the High Street, maybe two cyclists an hour to be seen on them, double-decker buses queuing to get past each other.

Susan Kelly ● 1063d

King st Hammersmith Where it is possible on a Bike to easily circumvent the whole nasty bit and could have been made much easier to do.But the High street only needs one delivery van or breakdown and the whole area to Kensington, Fulham and Shepherds bush gridlocks in less then 15 mins. As for pedestrians getting across the road near impossible far too many cyclists ride through the crossings with no enforcement whatsoever, yet the abuse from some cyclists to people crossing  and NOT using a marked crossing is constant.No bells on bikes and seldom used, like lights.  But cameras a plenty and riding too fast is a pain for other riders and an insult to those who do ride with diligence, and spacial awareness. And then the delivery scooters who also belt up the cycle lanes.  None of this is worth any penny without proper enforcement and clear etiquette.

Raymond Havelock ● 1063d

As you say Raymond ... once a bus is stationary at the main King Street bus stop ... there is no way other traffic can pass.The 2 way cycle lane is lethal to crossindeed it"s horrible. Poor Emergency vehicles? Sirens and bells  have no effect.

Jim Lawes ● 1063d

Ambulance Crews are worst affected. I know quite a few through work connections and have to say is the one occupation I would love to have been in.They are effectively gagged by senior management on the effects that delays and diversions are having.Middle Management are warned off too with " It may harm your career prospects"Such is the culture weaving through from City Hall.Trouble is it could be You, Me or anyone that might end up a casualty of all this showboating madness without pragmatism.

Raymond Havelock ● 1061d

'Such is the culture weaving through from City Hall.'The LAS is nothing to do with City Hall it is run by the NHS. However, I do agree that the twits who were consulted about these things were higher management, when, as we all know it should be the crews who have to cope with these daft restrictions day to day.

Vanessa Smith ● 1061d

Yes it is NHS except the GLA has a big say in who runs it , same as the Fire Service and the Police. It is supposed to be the home office but it's all back door stuff helped along by the clique of mandarins in both levels of government.Murky at the best of times.

Raymond Havelock ● 1058d

235 bus to Hounslow today at 11.45,chilly but sunny day perfect for cycling,20 mins one footpath cyclist.20 mins back two cyclists on the road.

Keith Iddon ● 1057d

Went on  267 from Brentford to Ivy Bridge at 12.30,25 mins because of traffic.I saw 3 bicycles,all tethered to the rack outside the library.Bus back 1.50.,15 mins 3 cyclists using the lanes.Remembering of course that at least a third of an already too narrow road is now for cycles.

Keith Iddon ● 1056d

Bus to Ivy Bridge from Brentford,25 mins with traffic held up all over the place.One cyclist in lane.I walked back,3 cyclists one of whom on footpath.It's good to see all the inconvenence and frustration caused to countless people has really been worth it for the 3 people using the lanes.Not.

Keith Iddon ● 1055d

Traffic yesterday on Twick. Rd. was an absolute nightmare. Took half an hour from West Middx. hospital to bus stop opposite ASDA on a 267 yesterday afternoon, what with works at Mogden Lane junction and the proliferation of 'wands', it is just horrific. Two ambulances on blue lights also trying to get through in the midst of it all. What weird mind dreams this crap up?

Vanessa Smith ● 1055d

One that's been in power too long and feels able to do as it pleases regardless perhaps?

Keith Iddon ● 1055d

When I was growing up in Sheffield in the seventies the local authority made a promotional film called "Sheffield - City on the Move".  Perhaps a film could be made about Brentford called "Brentford - Town at a Standstill".A big contributor to the movement of Sheffield back then was a superb bus service - reliable, frequent, fast, affordable, safe, pleasant and undeterred by a flurry of snow. People generally caught the bus rather than getting in their cars if, for example, they wanted to go into town.  I have to say that if I'm going to be stuck in traffic I'd rather be stuck in my own car than on a crowded bus.  Round here the buses now seem to be subject to the same restrictions as the private motorist.  (Should add that I do a lot of walking but it's not feasible for every journey.)

Alison Robins ● 1055d

What I have realised is that with many of these hare-brained and ill-thought up schemes is, that they are based on a lot of supposition rather than hard evidence. With the latest barmy wheeze proposed for where I live an FOI asking for information on numbers of complaints and 'confrontations' cited in a Chief Officer's report as justification, brought the reply that figures/data for these is not kept! So statements are made that cannot be substantiated, and a strong suspicion that they don't exist because they never, ever happened.

Vanessa Smith ● 1055d

Vanessa, I am shocked. Surely they would neither lie nor be economical with the truth.🤣🤣🤣

N V Brooks ● 1055d

I know - staggering isn't it?

Vanessa Smith ● 1054d

I went to South Street on a 267 today,1.30pm.Relatively light traffic,no cyclists seen,only 5 Lime bikes,2 of which were dumped ad hoc on the footpath,the other 3 in the designated areas.I hear Hammersmith Council take all the dumped Lime bikes they find and keep them in store until Lime or whatever they are called, pick them up,whereupon they are charged before they are released back to them.What a good idea....

Keith Iddon ● 1051d

Looks like the work at the junction of Mogden Lane and Twickenham Rd. is finished, finally. I agree the Lime Bike problem still not sorted - they are all over the bloody place, many without saddles. I think if we wait for Hounslow to take action we may well be in for a long one!

Vanessa Smith ● 1051d

Fear not Keith, I’m planning to use the cycle lane on Christmas Eve to cycle to Twickenham, so a very handy thing all in all. Plus the slow scenic route while you’re on the bus, gives you time to reflect on the natural beauty of Hounslow

Rob Jones ● 1050d

Well good for you ob.I hhope the weather stays nice for you ;-) but I doubt I will be on a bus on Christmas Eve.

Keith Iddon ● 1050d

Did the same journey yesterday.20 mins..no bikes.

Keith Iddon ● 1039d

Three way traffic lights on the entrance to the West Middx.  A large area of cones on Twickenham road while the gas people start digging up the pavements.I can’t see any reason why in an urgent situation such as this that they don’t open the cut through side roads and Church street to ease the congestion and polluting fumes from cars and buses stuck in the jam, just while the gas work is completed.The queue to leave the hospital is going to be amazing.  We were in the a queue there today when it was quiet, and as we waited the people exiting the car park were trying to exit too.  Mayhem.

Sarah Felstead ● 1030d

I was at West Middx Hospital yesterday at about 11.15a.m. - the approach to the hospital on the bus was quite slow and with no doubt people having to wait a short while before being able to exit the hospital entrance - there wasn't, however, a queue of traffic waiting to leave.I would say the biggest problem at the moment is that the bus stop outside of the hospital is closed and that could prove difficult for those using public transport and yet not able to walk far or feeling unwell.I'll be there again today and see what the queues are like (or not).

Anne England ● 1030d

And yet again - the cycleways flooded and ponding all over the place.

Vanessa Smith ● 1029d

Went by car to Chiswick today at 1.30,came back 4.45.On both journeys which were about 20 mins each way,total of 2 cyclists seen,one of whom was on the footpath.It's so good to see public(my) money been so wisely spent...not.

Keith Iddon ● 1028d

I stand at bus stops - more regularly along the Brentford but occasionally along the Chiswick route - and I see plenty more cyclists than you report. Whatever, what is the point of 'reporting' the same thing ad nauseum?

Anne England ● 1027d

To highlight how little I see the cycle lanes being used when I am out.Obviously.

Keith Iddon ● 1027d