Crazy bus proposals called in

2.05.12pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 31st Jul 2003

Lib Dems call in expensive Tory midsummer madness.

Lib Dem Councillors Brian Miller and Martin Elengorn have called in two Tory bus schemes which they regard as bad for public transport and a waste of money. The Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee will review the Tory cabinet Member's decisions on 4th September.

The first is the proposal to remove the bus lane in Upper Teddington Road. Comments Lib Dem Transport Spokesman Martin Elengorn "The consultations did not support removal. 6 stakeholders representing thousands of people were against the proposal. These included Transport for London, London United Buses, London Transport Users Committee, Cycle Groups and the Teddington Society."

"Of nearby local residents 10 favoured removal and 5 opposed it. This tiny majority of nearby residents does not justify ignoring the interests of bus users as put by their representatives. And what is worse this will cost £25,000 with few obvious benefits. The crazy idea of putting HGVs in bus lanes has been put on ice and so should this be."

The second scheme called in is the St Mary's Primary School safety Zone in Richmond Road, Twickenham Following pressure from a small number of residents a new westbound bus stop is to be deferred while to allow for the move eastwards of the eastbound bus stop the pelican outside Orleans Park School is to be moved at a cost of £35,000.

A second pelican for the new St Mary's School will go ahead. Comments Martin Elengorn " A perfectly good scheme to serve the interests of school children and public transport has been expensively altered and watered down to meet the objections of a very small number of residents in Richmond Road. This is unjustifiable."

Note for Editors: See Transport Consultative Group papers for 23 July.