Bus traffic hotspots set for revamp
WORK is set to start on new bus lanes to speed up public transport routes in and out of Swansea.
Several traffic hotspots are to be improved ahead of the introduction of Swansea's bendy bus.
The 19-metre-long Swansea Metro vehicles — or bendy buses, as they have become known — are due to hit the streets later this year.
Following on from the new Landore Express bus route and dedicated lanes for public transport in the city centre, further work is being scheduled that will improve links with the city centre.
Work is now being planned for other areas aimed at cutting down the time public transport gets delayed in traffic at other potential hotspots on the approach to the city.
Several junctions linking the city centre to the north of Swansea are going to be improved to give public transport an easier route. They are at the Martin Street roundabout, Cwm Level roundabout and Normandy Road roundabout
It's anticipated the first of the work will begin next month and it's expected to be completed by spring next year.
While the fine detail of the work has yet to be ironed out, meaning that no news of potential disruption can be announced, the council says it has sought to let all affected residents know well in advance of the work.
John Hague, cabinet member for environment, said that once complete the improvements will mean quicker and more punctual public transport journeys between Morriston Hospital in the north and Singleton Hospital in the south — the route of the bendy bus.
He said: "The work so far has been worth it because it is already making life easier for buses using the city centre and the Landore Express bus route, especially at peak times when passengers are coming to work or going home.
"When the rest of the work is complete, they'll really feel the benefit of quicker and more punctual journey times because buses will be able to beat the traffic hotspots."
Geoff Sheel, interim head of service for transportation, said the work in the city centre was designed to create dedicated bus lanes to make it safer for everyone using what are the busiest streets in the city.
But he added that won't be necessary for the route between Morriston and Singleton, except at locations like the Martin Street roundabout, Cwm Level roundabout and Normandy Road roundabout near the Liberty Stadium.
He said: "Only in these locations will we need to create short priority bus lanes. This means the majority of local people who are already used to seeing buses travelling up and down the route every day won't see much change to the way the road looks outside their homes and businesses."
During construction the council will be doing its best to minimise disruption and inconvenience and will be keeping local people informed.
Mr Sheel said: "When completed, residents in Morriston and along the route in particular will benefit from hugely improved public transport links with the city centre that will save them time and — if they leave their cars at home — save them money as well."
WEB LINK
www.swansea.gov.uk/metro
9 Comments
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by JM, Swansea
Saturday, October 25 2008, 12:06PM
“No need for extra bus lanes etc. The easiest way to increase bus times is to put conductors back on them. This will enable the drivers to consentrate on driving instead of issuing tickets to passengers who rarely have the money ready and hold up the service. How many times have you been on a bus when the passengers don't have correct money or give the driver a £20 note. I know it is mostly car drivers that are creating about the bendy bus and bus lanes. Bus passengers can also do there bit to help the drivers keep on time and make a stressful job a little less stressful. So have your tickets/passes or correct money ready when you get on the bus. If the bus is late due to traffic, accidents or roadworks, dont tell the driver he/she is late as they already know and you are making him/her more late by delaying getting seated.
Its not only the traffic that delays the bus, a lot of passengers are to blame for delays too.”
by Steve, Stuck in outside Tesco on Oystermouth Rd
Wednesday, October 22 2008, 12:46PM
“I hope the councils efforts to revamp traffic hot spots is better than the mess they made at the junction of Dillwyn St and Oystermouth Rd with the addition of the bendy bus lane. Since the addition of this bendy bus lane accross to the County Hall, traffic now backs up as far as Port Tennant coming into Swansea and back as far as St Helens from the Mumbles side. Any commuter who travels regularly on this road will tell you that they've made a shambles of the traffic light sequence. As Carol from Whitland said the Kingsway is a disaster and let's be honest when you look at the traffic manangement schemes these so called experts have come up with over the years:- Blocking off College St and then reopening, one way system in Woodfield St Morriston, blocking off Princess dual carriage way and then knocking houses down to build a replacement dual carriageway on Dillwyn St. I don't have much faith in what the future holds especially if the best Mr Sheel can come up with is 'make it safer for everyone using what are the busiest streets in the city'. We've already got the safest streets as we all on stop. 5 year plan, I don't think they've got a 5 minute plan! Last word -I bet the people designing this traffic flow system all live in Cardiff really!”
by Carol, Whitland
Wednesday, October 22 2008, 12:18PM
“Thank you Gareth. I'll take a look at Llanelli. It used to be a place I loved to shop in. You'll certainly see me spending my Christmas money there!”
by Michael, Morriston
Wednesday, October 22 2008, 11:06AM
“It really isn't cheaper to catch the bus than drive to work. Recently I visited Edinburgh where buses are £1 for a day ticket for an adult. If buses were £1 a day return I am sure you would see a lot more people using it than there are currently. They need to lower prices of buses or parking because £5 a day to park in the centre of town is obscene.”
by Gareth, Loughor
Wednesday, October 22 2008, 10:22AM
“Never mind Cardiff. Have you visited Llanelli recently. Parc Trostre and the town centre can knock spots off anything that Swansea has to offer. While the Jacks have been doing all the talking the Turks have been getting it sorted. I know where I will be doing my Christmas shopping and it won't involve dodging bendy buses or other silly schemes.”