Letter: Bus Lane On A25 Parkway Must Be Suspended Or Used

Published on: 8 Sep, 2021
Updated on: 8 Sep, 2021

From Anthony Mallard

On many mornings, the A25 Parkway, Guildford, between the former AA roundabout (now McCarthy & Stone, Clock House retirement flats) at Burpham and the Stoke interchange is congested with standing traffic.

This congestion causes pollution. If this pollution is added to that which is generated by the A3 just the other side of the Spectrum leisure complex, I am confident that the levels of pollution will far exceed safe limits.

However, no routed buses use the designated bus lane. An enquiry to Surrey County Council, highways department, elicited the following reply garnered after consultation with the Passenger Transport Project Team: “As the current situation with regard to the pandemic is improving, there is a possibility that Park and Ride may use the original Parkway route. The bus services may also use the bus lane in Parkway”.

What bus services, none are routed? Does this mean that bus lanes are there just in case a passing bus may wish to avail itself of such a facility?

The writer, on behalf of Surrey Highways, continues: “There is no plan to remove the bus lane, however, the situation will be monitored.”

Is it really the case that this bus lane cannot be suspended unless and until a decision is reached?

It is bad enough that during the pandemic, probably for up to 18 months, motorists have been obstructed and pollution levels, for users of this roadway, the adjacent footway and that part of Stoke Park abutting Parkway, increased to reserve a section of the highway for no reason.

Is this scandalous inefficiency on the part of the SCC Highways Department in not enacting a suspension of the bus lane whilst no routed buses use it or is it a total disregard for the public who use the roadway and the nearby pavement and leisure facilities?

Surely, common sense must prevail and the bus lane must be immediately suspended, until a decision with regard to the reinstatement of the Park and Ride service made.

Meanwhile, have any motorists been prosecuted for using the bus lane during the period when buses ceased to use it?

Responses to Letter: Bus Lane On A25 Parkway Must Be Suspended Or Used

Leigh Carter Reply

September 9, 2021 at 8:53 am

I totally agree with Mr Mallard’s comments and would also like to suggest that the bus lane by the Friary Shopping Centre is also reviewed for the same reasons.

I think there is only one regular bus that uses this lane which also causes added congestion and queuing in this busy road area. This has not been helped by the inexplicable decision to make this bus lane restriction cover 24 hours a day.
S Callanan Reply

September 9, 2021 at 11:36 am

I agree absolutely.

If we require bus lanes surely they should only be operational at morning and evening peak traffic times? But no. And Mr Carter will not be pleased to hear that the Woking Road bus lane is changing to 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week, from its current morning and afternoon operation.

The information is here:

https://www.surreysays.co.uk/environment-and-infrastructure/woking-road-bus-lanes-amendment/user_uploads/a320-woking-road-guildford-bus-lanes-changes-statement-of-reasons-10-2020.pdf

And who knew there was such a thing as a “quality bus corridor”?
Martin Elliott Reply

September 9, 2021 at 1:26 pm

The whole policy of bus lanes, not just in Guildford, seems to be more driven by revenue generation.

The route of the Park & Ride on Parkside over to London Road happened more than 18 months ago. It was customer-driven and had nothing to do with Covid.

It makes me wonder what is the purpose of the Guildford Joint Committee. They introduce sweeping changes such as bus lane operating hours and next, CCTV with auto ticketing of Guildford Bus Lanes but this year’s “Bus Stop Quality Improvements” are only doing half of the bus routes. Why not complete routes and the rest next year?

Even that work had three visits to change pavements and kerbs. Then a further three visits to bring them up to standard.

But with Covid, even limited scrutiny has faded. In normal times there are only four meetings a year to oversee a lot of Guildford/Surrey decisions. But there hasn’t been a meeting in 2021 since March.