Forum Topic

A question for CCF

Come on Chris please shed some light on the mystery white markings that are appearing locally on the Worple Estate and beyond I expect?A marking of a bicycle in white paint above a box with a number within are starting to appear at various points and for the life of me I cannot understand what say the number 75 inside the box near my house means?Is this one of your mysterious methods to get us all out of cars and cycling to work? ;)

Paul Fisher ● 4707d11 Comments

Thank Chris.  As Adam said, please don’t install traffic cameras!

Sarah Felstead ● 4704d

Thanks Chris, I don't envy you trying to include the cycle superhighway into any proposals for that junction :-o

Adam Beamish ● 4705d

Adam, SarahWe’re been looking very carefully at this junction as part of our Twickenham Road Corridor scheme and as part of the design process for the cycle superhighway.  I’m aware of the issues you’ve raised (insufficient right turn queuing space and the propensity for the occasional vehicle, including buses, to turn right from the ahead lane).  I hope to be able to table a new outline design within a couple of months, but there is still a lot of work to do before we can finalise this issue.Meanwhile, I’ll raise the revised timings issue with TfL’s traffic signals engineers.CCF

Chris Calvi-Freeman ● 4705d

Precisely Sarah - only yesterday evening I witnessed an out of service bus zoom along the bus lane and all of the traffic queuing for the right filter only to then turn right to put the bus in the middle of the junction even though the right filter was still on red, i.e. committing an illegal manoeuvre.I tend to find most 'in service' buses (like the 267) don't do this, but then if they can't get into the right filter lane because of queuing traffic they end up frustrating drivers behind the bus who want to go straight on but are blocked by the stationary bus.Realistically at rush hour at least 50% of drivers (probably nearer 75%) going straight on are committing an offence by driving in the bus lane, simply to avoid the queue of traffic in the outside lane.  Please note - this doesn't mean the solution is to be put a bus lane camera there ! - the solution is to get the right hand filter sorted ! (and I would also suggest reducing the proximity of the bus lane to the junction but I'm guessing there's more chance of hell freezing over !).

Adam Beamish ● 4705d

I try and avoid Bush corner but the few times I have used it recently I can say I agree with our seasoned commuter (Adam)'s opinion.Because of the delay in the traffic queue turning towards Brentford there are some habits being adopted by some of the other drivers who know it as well as Adam, I assume.I have sat at this junction heading towards the A4 and it is irksome to have a stream of cars overtaking on the inside through the bus lane when I have had to sit patiently indicating and waiting for the end of the bus lane so I can carry on forward.During restricted hours the queue to turn right to Brentford blocks the road ahead up to the A4 which is empty and has a green light to go straight ahead, so it is obvious why there is a stream of cars now using the bus lane at this point.The other ‘habit or trick' is to go through the junction as if heading towards the A4 and stop at the head of the traffic queue in the middle of the junction ready to turn across towards Brentford, when the filter light does go green.There have been the remains of a badly smashed car at the side of the road in the last week - wonder if this is going to happen more?

Sarah Felstead ● 4705d

Chris,As this thread is up I'll post here rather than email you as I tend to do...Are TfL going to review Busch Corner, in particular the timing of the right filter lane from Twickenham Road onto London Road ?.  Ever since just before the Olympics, for most of the time the right hand filter lasts for 10 seconds, whereas traffic going straight on gets 60 seconds (including the 10 seconds when the right filter is operational).Given the proximity of the bus lane on Twickenham Road to the Busch Corner junction, at rush hour it is very 'messy' and although some congestion there is inevitable, it was never as bad pre-Olympics.  If the right hand filter operated for at least 20 seconds every sequence, as it always used to, things would greatly improve in my view.Thanks,Adam

Adam Beamish ● 4705d

Seems O.K. to me - the paving stones are a much better surface to ride on.

Vanessa Smith ● 4706d

VanessaThe engineer for this project has advised that in this short eastern section in the vicinity of the junction with Twickenham Road, the segregated cycle and pedestrian ways become shared due to constraints on space.  So the existing asphalt cycle track has been newly paved with concrete slabs. The old paving slabs on the adjacent footpath were also replaced to tie in with the new.We always try to improve the streetscape for all users, when we improve conditions for cyclists.  The standard 400 x400mm paving slabs are not expensive – they are a standard basic surface used throughout London.CCF

Chris Calvi-Freeman ● 4706d

I have a question too - as someone who has taken up cycling for exercise can you explain why - in Mogden Lane -the tarmac cycle path is being paved. I would have thought that's far more expensive??????

Vanessa Smith ● 4707d

It’s cycle way-finding.  The numbers are the London Cycle Network (LCN) route numbers.  Painting them on the carriageway at intervals is cheaper and results in less clutter than having a sign at every point.  Signs (with the same number and the destination names) also feature, at main decision points.“Is this one of your mysterious methods to get us all out of cars and cycling to work? ;)”Call it leading a horse to water and hoping than some will drink. Watch also for outline design plans for the Cycle Superhighway, due for preliminary discussion later this year.CCF

Chris Calvi-Freeman ● 4707d

I saw one of these markings in Old Isleworth whilst entering Church Street from Old Manor Drive on my trusty company vehicle.  I thought it was a new speed limit so I accelerated enthusiastically as I passed the London Apprentice.  I know the locals tend to be quite relaxed about this kind of thing.

Phil Andrews ● 4707d