A plan to get drivers to use the bus lanes on Eccles Old Road has been scuppered – so far – by poor signage.
That’s the message from SalfordOnline.com readers – and even the local councillors who set the scheme up.
A nine-week trial should have started from Monday 27 June to open up bus lanes to all drivers on a section of the busy main road, which runs from the Gilda Brook Road M602 motorway roundabout, past Salford Royal Hospital and St James’ Church to Weaste Lane at the top of the hill by Buile Hill Park.
Traffic around the Salford Royal hospital has been difficult to navigate for years
But because there’s not enough signage in the right places to tell drivers what’s going on, the project is doomed to fail.
Coming from the Gilda Brook roundabout, the only sign to tell you that the bus lane suspension has started is on a slope 20ft over to your left, now hidden under a tree.
The side roads branching off from Eccles Old Road have not been signed, so drivers coming on to the main road from Half Edge Lane, or from Lancaster Road even, have no idea the trial is ongoing.
One would assume that the easiest way to get drivers to change their behaviour would be to put signs up in a place where they are easily viewable, or even to advertise the fact that things are changing, perhaps in a local daily newspaper that people actually read?
Facebook Live video from the scene by Josh Garside
Background: Temporary bus lane closure on A576 for next nine weeks
Councillor Paul Wilson, who represents Weaste, was excited to get the opportunity for traffic bosses to record and test the data but says he’s been disappointed by the execution of the trial.
“I’ve received and passed on a number of complaints from local residents and drivers,” Paul told SalfordOnline.com.
Only buses using the bus lane – even though it’s now open to cars too
“The signage isn’t right and the changes that have been made are unsatisfactory.
“We don’t want to lose the opportunity.
“This data will help us build the case to help shape Salford transport policy based on actual fact, rather than anecdotal evidence.
“Because of this false start I personally will be pushing to extend the trial bus lane suspension,” he added.
Local councillors now find themselves in the unenviable position of having to complain about a scheme that they themselves championed.
Cllr Wilson said: “I would ask if readers want to help, they can photography or film documentary evidence themselves of problems like lack of signage, missed opportunities or anything which poses a danger to motorists or pedestrians.
“They have been doing this well so far on the SalfordOnline.com Facebook group – I would ask that people also contact Urban Vision and Transport for Greater Manchester either by email or on social media to keep the pressure on.
“I have been assured that Urban Vision are taking steps to improve this, by tweeting more frequently from @urbanvision_uk, and I have been promised that engineers will conduct regular site visits several times a week to enforce the bus lane suspension.”
The trial is due to finish at the end of August 2016.
