Local Bus Driver Predicts Traffic Mayhem When Lockdown Ends

Says Chiswick cycle route compromises safety for all road users

Claim made that cycleway has led to increased bus delays. Picture: One Chiswick

A bus driver who has served local routes for over 10 years has raised safety concerns about the temporary Cycleway 9 in Chiswick and predicted traffic mayhem when lockdown ends.

The driver, who has asked to remain anonymous, currently drives E3, 272 and H91 buses and volunteered to be interviewed by Marjorie Frew of the One Chiswick campaign group because of his concerns about the recent changes to local road layouts.

The transcript of the interview was recorded and then voiced by an actor to protect the driver’s identity.

He claims that the design was detrimental to the safety of bus drivers and has significantly increased bus journey times causing stress to passengers with a resulting knock on effect for drivers.

He believes the new design was having a negative effect on driver changeover arrangements and he himself had nearly been knocked over by a cyclist when he got off his bus having forgotten about the bi-directional arrangement. He described the design as a ‘big breach’ in safety.

When asked what he felt about comments that traffic conditions in Chiswick were no worse than they had been pre-lockdown he said, “Let's watch out when everything goes back to normal, it’s going to be mayhem on Chiswick High Road OK? Because in all my years driving buses and local buses and even my car - the traffic now when we have lock down - whew! I don't know what to say - so imagine when we go back from lock down when we go back into normality.”

He added, “The people who are behind the idea they need to go back to the drawing board and have a rethink - ok -- at the end of the day the safety part of it at the moment its unacceptable and they need to go back to the drawing table and rethink and re plan - listen to the bus drivers... listen to the locals.... listen to passengers and then we can get a better Chiswick.”

When asked to comment on the interview Transport for London (TfL) said it introduced the cycleway as Chiswick High Road was a significant casualty hotspot for cycling. In the three year period to December 2019, there were 88 collisions on the temporary Cycleway 9 route including 25 involving people cycling.

It also says that major utility works in the area have recently caused some short-lived localised delays. These have now been completed and SCOOT sensors are to be installed at some signal junctions along C9 in mid-March, which it believes will further improve its ability to minimise delays, particularly to buses, when they do occur. TfL points how that the video footage accompanying the recording of the video provided by One Chiswick showing serious traffic delays was made at a time when there were roadworks in the area.

TfL says that two-way cycle tracks, including tracks with priority over side roads, are safe and already in use at other locations on TfL's road network

Helen Cansick, Head of Healthy Streets delivery at TfL said, "Creating more space for walking and cycling is vital to enable London to have a healthy and sustainable economic recovery from coronavirus. Safety is always our most important consideration when designing projects. We undertake significant assessments before our projects are implemented to ensure our bus services remain attractive and reliable, given the large numbers of passengers who rely on them even during the pandemic. The latest TfL monitoring data suggests that bus journey times in the Chiswick area are broadly similar to those at the same time in 2019.

“Residents and visitors are already using Cycleway 9 in increasing numbers, with less confident cyclists and local families with children benefiting. We will use a range of data, including bus speeds and cycling usage, to evaluate this temporary scheme and make adjustments where necessary, and will always welcome feedback on our schemes.”

TfL has set up an online feedback form for you to comment on the scheme.

You can also email them on streetspacelondon@tfl.gov.uk however it will not respond to individual emails.

OneChiswick, is a local group of residents which says it is campaigning for a common sense approach to meeting the challenges of the climate emergency, is now working towards its judicial review of C9 which is planned for 16/17 June. It is asking residents to contribute to the legal costs by donating via its GoFundMe account.

February 28, 2021