Christmas comes early for Streatham Vale residents and traders

Streatham Vale residents and traders have been given an early Christmas present after Lambeth Council decided not to continue with a controversial experimental bus lane.

The twelve elected members on the Streatham Area Committee of 30th November 2005 decisively voted down Transport for London's (TfL's) proposals to make the bus lane permanent after vigorous complaints from local residents.

TfL's Bus Priority Team wanted the bus lane made permanent because it shaved approximately 30 seconds off bus travelling time. However, residents complained they were being caught on the bus lane camera emerging from side roads and that the off-centre lane for motorists was dangerous. Local shopkeepers also said that their businesses were suffering because it was more difficult for drivers to stop.

A public notice has just been published by the Council which effectively brings the experimental scheme to an end on 13th December. Signs will soon be covered over and afterwards motorists will not be fined for driving in the bus lane.

Streatham Councillor Roger Giess said: "After very careful consideration of all the facts we have decided that the interests of Streatham Vale and its residents are best served by removal of this short stretch of the bus priority lane. We have considered road safety issues, residents' concerns and the effect on local shopkeepers.

"Bus priority lanes work best where there is adequate room and there are no adjacent bottlenecks. However, other improvements along Greyhound Lane are welcomed and we look forward to promised improvements by TfL to the traffic signals at the Eardley Road and Aberfoyle Road junctions.

Councillor Giess added: "We have listened to local people and their concerns outweigh the saving of 30 seconds of bus travelling time."