Just seen this article on a direct service from Radstock/ Midsomer Norton to Bristol. great news as the current 178 is a little long! Any way the thing that stands out is -
In Paulton, service 379 will run via High Street instead of Ham
Lane and Brittens Hill because the buses will be too big to negotiate
the narrow sections of road. In Bristol, service 379 will run via
Victoria Street, Baldwin Street and the city centre.
This service currently uses the exact same buses Volvo B7 as the 178 and 178 which uses Volvo B7, Dennis darts and Volvo Deckers. The narrow section I assume is Ham lane. This is VERY narrow and requires more luck than skill to avoid hitting the wall or parked cars. So my question is if it is too narrow for the 379 than what happens when same the vehicle is used on the 178/179???
The picture below gives some idea of the width of the road. Remember a bus is up to 8ft wide.Life gets REALLY inserting when you meet another bus down here.
View Larger Map
17 Feb 2012
15 Feb 2012
Blue Badge Holders.
I come across many Blue Badge users during the day and most seem unaware or choose to ignore the rules. Today though a blue badge user went to new heights.
As I went to turn right in to a road a Bath a vehicle was stopped a few feet from the junction. This is not unusual as people sometimes stop to check a map. Anyway a gave a toot on the horn and expected the driver to see the three buses behind him and move off. However, he did nothing and continued to read his newspaper. I gave another toot and the driver moved down the road into a narrow section, once again blocking the road. I gave another rather longer toot and the driver waved his blue badge at me. At this point I got out and went up to the gent and advised he was blocking the road. He told me that as a professional driver I should be able to get past. That would have meant mounting the pavement which of course is against the law
You MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property, or in the case of an emergency.
[Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & RTA 1988 sect 34]
The gent did then move, by mounting the pavement !
So how many rules did this gent break. Well just about them all.
parking opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space;
where it would make the road narrow, such as by a traffic island or roadworks;
where it would hold up traffic, such as in narrow stretches of road or blocking vehicle entrances;
on a pavement, unless signs permit it.
If you do have a blue badge and use it correctly I apologise but please ensure you read the rules and responsibilities that come with it. You can find them here.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpeople/motoringandtransport/dg_4001061
As I went to turn right in to a road a Bath a vehicle was stopped a few feet from the junction. This is not unusual as people sometimes stop to check a map. Anyway a gave a toot on the horn and expected the driver to see the three buses behind him and move off. However, he did nothing and continued to read his newspaper. I gave another toot and the driver moved down the road into a narrow section, once again blocking the road. I gave another rather longer toot and the driver waved his blue badge at me. At this point I got out and went up to the gent and advised he was blocking the road. He told me that as a professional driver I should be able to get past. That would have meant mounting the pavement which of course is against the law
You MUST NOT drive on or over a pavement, footpath or bridleway except to gain lawful access to property, or in the case of an emergency.
[Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & RTA 1988 sect 34]
The gent did then move, by mounting the pavement !
So how many rules did this gent break. Well just about them all.
parking opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, except in an authorised parking space;
where it would make the road narrow, such as by a traffic island or roadworks;
where it would hold up traffic, such as in narrow stretches of road or blocking vehicle entrances;
on a pavement, unless signs permit it.
If you do have a blue badge and use it correctly I apologise but please ensure you read the rules and responsibilities that come with it. You can find them here.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpeople/motoringandtransport/dg_4001061
11 Feb 2012
Venerable road users
Ok, for those that know me will realise I do not have much regard for cyclists. This comes only from what I see in my daily travels. However, I thought it might me a good idea to try being a little more positive so I have come up with some advise for Venerable Road Users. This includes, cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians.
The main thing to note is that if a VRU comes into contact with other road users the result is more than likely the death of the VRU. So my view is that the VRU's need to practice defensive working and stop blaming the other road users.VRU's must assume other road users HAVE NOT seen them and act appropriately. You need to ensure you make yourself visible, by using lights, reflective clothing or even using a bell or whistle.
When I took park in some motorcycle training a Police officer told me.
'It is no use stating you were in the right while sitting in the back of an Ambulance'
The main thing to note is that if a VRU comes into contact with other road users the result is more than likely the death of the VRU. So my view is that the VRU's need to practice defensive working and stop blaming the other road users.VRU's must assume other road users HAVE NOT seen them and act appropriately. You need to ensure you make yourself visible, by using lights, reflective clothing or even using a bell or whistle.
When I took park in some motorcycle training a Police officer told me.
'It is no use stating you were in the right while sitting in the back of an Ambulance'
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