WHERE do they come from? Who trains them? Do they understand the implications of their actions? Are they concerned about the misery and aggravation they inflict? Who am I talking about?

Bolton's planners of course!

I was travelling towards Bolton from Leigh the other evening. The obvious route being St Helens Road. I was doing fine until the bus lane started! Then suddenly every vehicle was heading towards me on my side of the road. Where should I go? In the bus lane? Well I didn't spot any time signs saying they are only active in peak times. I didn't notice any signs to be honest because I was too busy avoiding the bus heading for me at the start of the lane. So what should I do? Go in the bus lane? Stop in the centre of the road while these other vehicles squeeze past?

They didn't fit so I travelled most of the length of St Helens Road partially in the bus lane. I had no choice! I don't blame the other drivers though. They had a choice of driving straight through all the parked cars or driving half on the wrong side of the road. I don't blame the owners of the parked cars either. They've been parking along that same kerb since I was a lad without causing any problems.

I blame the planners! Before the new lane was marked there was plenty of room for parking most of the length of the road with a free flowing lane in either direction. I believe the main principle of a bus lane is to speed up the journey by bus. The biggest hold ups before the extra lane was due to buses, not the other way round. Since the bus lane has been added I expect there will be no improvement for buses as people like myself will have to keep on using it to avoid head on collisions.

Go back to school all you planners. Primary school would be a good start where you will be taught that you can't fit a quart into a pint pot! Are these the same planners that can't fit the water into the town hall fountains?

Neil Morgan

neil.morgan@genie.co.uk

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.