Bus lanes a success — but more accidents
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• A report published by the Greater London Council shows that bus-only lanes in London are generally a success but there is a disturbing increase in accidents in some of them. An intensive review of the 33 bus lanes currently in operation shows that savings in the London Transport's operating costs in their first year amounted to £170,000. The lanes cost £80,000 to install.
The report concludes that bus services affected by the lanes have become more regular and reliable. The lanes have not seriously reduced traffic capacity.
Introduction of the bus lanes —now totalling seven miles in length — has led to a slight increase in accidents, says the report. "This is an implicit hazard of any management measure which increases the complexity of the traffic situation." The situation in Piccadilly, where a contraflow lane is in operation, is causing most concern. The report recommends the installation of guard rails and additional signs.
Figures for the Piccadilly lane reveal that accidents involving pedestrians have increased as have the number of accidents involving buses. The only decrease has been in the number of accidents involving cars.
About 12 per cent of car drivers still use the lanes during operating hours. This situation could be improved, says the report, by the standardization of road signs and hours of operation.
A further 56 bus lanes have been approved and 120 are expected to have been agreed by the end of next year.