Westbury Road Bus Lane to be Removed - Sort of

Westbury Road, Durdham Downs, Bristol (Photo credit: brizzle born and bred)

Reports in this week's Evening Post of the demise of the Westbury Road bus lane have, it appears, been somewhat exaggerated.

The controversial bus lane came into being earlier this year between Henleaze Road and White Tree Roundabout on the city-bound side of Westbury Road. It has been blamed by campaigners for significantly increasing car journey times across the Downs at peak times, with motorists (and even buses) routinely backed up to the zebra crossing at the junction with Westbury Hill.

Following a high profile campaign by, among others, Westbury resident Simon Brookes, supported by councillor Geoff Gallop and local MP Charlotte Leslie, it was reported in the Post that the City Council had agreed to remove the lane and restore the road to its former state.

Not so, according to campaign group This Bus Lane is Madness. An update today on the group's facebook page describes the Post's article as "misleading." Tim Kent, councillor responsible for transport,

"has agreed to remove less than half of it."

The group claim that the actual plan is to modify the lane by shortening it. 

"This must be some attempt to save embarrassment as the remaining 120 meters is no use to man nor beast."

Trym Tales supports action to reduce car journeys in and out of the city centre (see photo), and wonders whether it has been possible to even asses the effect of the bus lane with so many other city-bound routes having been partially closed in recent months. Major road works on Northumbria Drive, and the continued closure of Wellington Hill, have meant that the only routes into and across the city centre in recent months have been via Westbury Road or the Portway. Has it, under these conditions, been possible to say how much of the recent congestion is a result of drivers avoiding the road works in favour of Westbury Road?

When the Henleaze and Wellington Hill roadworks are both completed, we may see a different picture emerging.

Or, we may then all conclude that the bus lane was just a white elephant.

What do you think?

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Related articles

• The Bristol Post published Scrap bus lane, say transport campaigners

Friday's Snow Patrol

Yesterday's highlights from the Great White Out of 2009 include:

Down with the Artists

The range of designs on Durdham Down made entirely of snow is a testimony to the creativity and humour of Bristolians. Personal favourites include:

• snow man sitting on a bench near White Tree roundabout
• full size igloo, complete with tunnel entrance, near Westbury Park
• sofa and chairs near the water tower
• eight foot high snow man near Upper Belgrave Road

Brandon Hill Slide

Described by one participant as a "full on mud slide", Brandon Hill was turned into a white and brown playground on Friday by hundreds of "kids and students" who, lacking the equipment for sledging, had acquired a range of items for descending the snowy hill.

Among the items lining up for inclusion in the 2010 winter Olympics were:

• large cushions in fertilizer bags
• a canoe
  
• plastic sheeting
• a double lilo
• planks of wood
• a car bonnet
• plastic lids from recycling boxes
• dustbins of various sizes and smells
• surf and body boards
• a metal sink and draining board
  

Marvellous.




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What's Happened to the Downs?

Driving a guest to an appointment at Bristol University last Sunday morning, I couldn't help noticing the terrible state of the Downs near the water tower following the previous night's firework show which took place despite the appalling weather.

The combination of thousands of people, heavy rain and numerous lorries, fairground rides and other heavy vehicles has left the Downs looking like a dirt bike track rather than a green field.

I don't know the answers but I do have some questions:

1. Who made the decision to proceed with the event despite the heavy rain? I have personally attended on previous years when the event has been put back 24 hours. Why was this not done last Saturday?

2. What are the financial arrangements, if any, between the organisers and Bristol City Council?

3. How long will it take before the Downs will be usable again by the general public and, if necessary, who will pay for any repairs that may be needed?

Just asking.

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Carter's Steam Fair Extends Bristol Stay

Carter's Steam Fair - described by Jonathan Ross as "more like a film set than a travelling fair" - is extending its stay on Bristol's Durdham Down by an extra weekend, following a spectacular washout during its initial stint last weekend.

The Fair consists of vintage rides and attractions salvaged from the skip, so to speak.

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Rockleaze Rangers End Season in Triumph

In their first season in the Avon Youth League, Rockleaze Rangers under-12s have won their division with an impressive record: played-16-won-16.

As newcomers to the League, the Westbury-on-Trym based club, who began their life playing on the Downs on a Saturday morning but who are now based at the Coombe Dingle Sports Centre on Coombe Lane, were placed in Division 5 of the League. Promotion by at least one division next season is now inevitable.

Top goalscorer for Rockleaze Rangers was the irrepressible Matthew Taylor (no, not that one) with a tally of 36 goals, contributing to a goal difference for Rangers of 93 for the season.

In August 2007, the club became one of only 13 in the Gloucestershire Football Association to be awarded FA Charter Status Development Club in recognition of the club's own development plan and its commitment to developing football in the community.

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Funderworld to be Reviewed

Following consultation with various groups, including the police, Bristol City Council is reported to be reviewing its decision to allow Funderworld to run its annual funfair on the Downs this Easter.

As previously reported on this blog, Funderworld has acquired an unfortunate reputation as a magnet for violent attacks and other anti-social behaviour during its time in Bristol and it is understood that part of the Council's review will involve discussions with the Nottingham-based funfair about its level and quality of security staffing at the event.

If this review results in a safer event - even if it means we miss it for a year - that is welcome development.

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Fun at Funderworld?

There's something about Funderworld that always seems to attract the thugs.

The recent horrific attack on Westbury on Trym resident Isaac Thompson (aged 17) at the funfair last Monday is merely the latest in a series of acts of violence and anti social behaviour associated with the event which has run in Bristol at easter for the last few years. Whitchurch resident Harrison Malin required hospital treatment when he had glue squirted in his eye in an unprovoked attack at the fair on April 14th.

Members of my own family have witnessed fights in the fair in previous years and seen a youth chased over the Downs by a gang of yobs armed with planks of wood.

It could be argued that this is par for the course for fun fairs, but in my experience Funderworld seems to attract more than it's fair share of such attacks.

Although Funderworld - based in Nottingham - is not the cause of these attacks, the fact they occur so often must raise questions about Funderworld's management, security and stewarding.

With Bristol Lord Mayor Peter Abraham already voicing concerns about whether fun fairs should be banned on the Downs, there's a lot at stake for ordinary families and teens who want to enjoy themselves in a safe environment.