Cyclists slam drivers using bus gate in Thorpe Road, Norwich
A “significant number” of cars have been spotted using the bus gate in Thorpe Road, just outside Norwich Train Station, which is open city-bound only to buses, cyclists and emergency vehicles.
The bus gate has been in place since last year (Image: William Warnes)
And some have even been seen illegally turning left into Koblenz Avenue – cutting across a cycle lane.
“Some drivers don’t seem to know the meaning of road signs or are deliberately ignoring them,” said Peter Silburn, chair of the Norwich Cycling Campaign.
Peter Silburn, chair of Norwich Cycling Campaign (Image: Peter Silburn)
“Ignoring the bus gate is putting cyclists and pedestrians in danger.”
The stretch of road, which carries more than 300 buses a day, was unveiled as a bus and cycle route last year[1] as part of a £2.5m revamp around Norwich Rail Station.
It was hoped the project would help improve journey times and cycle access[2] into the city centre.
The council has confirmed it is looking at measures for further enforcement (Image: William Warnes)
But locals say the scheme is being ignored and have called for Norfolk County Council to impose tougher measures.
“This issue is compounded by the lack of enforcement,” said Mr Silburn.
“On the approach to the bus gate there is a sign indicating there’s a bus lane camera but it’s unclear whether this is actually working.
The bus gate is not monitored by an enforcement camera (Image: William Warnes)
“The approach to the bus gate could be made clearer for drivers – for instance by narrowing the approach to the bus gate and using different coloured road surfacing.”
The county council confirmed CCTV was in place in Thorpe Road, rather than an enforcement camera.
Cyclists have warned of the dangers posed by drivers ignoring signs (Image: William Warnes)
“We are aware that a minority of drivers are using the Thorpe Road bus lane inappropriately,” a spokesman said.
“We are exploring measures to improve compliance and introduce further enforcement.”
References
- ^ unveiled as a bus and cycle route last year (www.eveningnews24.co.uk)
- ^ help improve journey times and cycle access (www.eveningnews24.co.uk)
- ^ Another St Stephens Street bus stop blunder sparks ‘health risk’ warning (www.eveningnews24.co.uk)
- ^ Popular city venue applies to expand for pizza and live music (www.eveningnews24.co.uk)