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Post by bookd on Apr 12, 2019 21:31:51 GMT
Until you spend the money it is unlikely that anything more than a bicycle will go over Hammersmith Bridge in the foreseeable future.
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Post by bookd on Apr 11, 2019 8:30:16 GMT
It sounds as if the Hammersmith Bridge closure will be permanent (or at least until a long term repair can be made and paid for). There has been discussion elsewhere as to how the bus routes in the area might be rejigged but that will now be pressing. As far as I can see at present buses from the South are turning at Lonsdale Road / Casstlenau.
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Post by bookd on Apr 8, 2019 14:05:05 GMT
I have a pal who doesn't drive a lot, and likes to keep his cars until they pack up -about 3 years ago he bought a second hand diesel which still seemed to be the thing to do. As he lives in Acton, when the next phase comes in he will need to change cars, pay an enormous fee, or give up. Not only him - at that stage there could be millions affected which while good for the environment will cause chaos.
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Post by bookd on Mar 31, 2019 14:23:43 GMT
The issue of location will always be a matter of what you want; although originally a northerner, and I enjoy occasional visits, I have lived in London, albeit on the edge, for more than 40 years and whilst now an old codger I don't wish to move. I like to be able to reach the South Bank or West End in less than an hour while living in a quiet area; I can't understand friends who when they have retired move to live in the back of beyond. I also have known people who having moved to their dream spot in the country have developed health problems, have not been able to drive, and regret the lack of local shops, doctors, and any decent public transport - it is difficult for them to move back.
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Post by bookd on Feb 28, 2019 16:05:13 GMT
I wonder if in London the headway system is the better option, and if there is too much waiting time there may be scope for reducing the number of buses off peak and increasing them when delays occur. My local route is the H25 which should work to a timetable - I have a print of it but now I never use it. Whilst fairly close in the middle of the day it is usually chaos at peaks, not helped by the Feltham bridge closure. Even without that there could be times of a gap of half an hour followed by three in succession. I use UK bus checker app which uses real time, and seems to be the same system as Countdown and is usually fairly accurate - if the wait for the bus is longer than it would take me to walk that is what I would do.
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Post by bookd on Feb 22, 2019 8:57:12 GMT
A local council leaflet advises that the Feltham bridge works will not be completed until summer although the level crossing will close as planned on 15th March. Changes to traffic diversions are promised but it does not say how.
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Post by bookd on Feb 18, 2019 23:05:46 GMT
Whilst not allowed on buses the smell of 'joints' could be to do with vaping. I have taken to this after a lifelong smoking habit, and use nicotine based products; the guys at my local store have suggested that I try CBD based products, which are legal, widely on sale and are based on cannabis oil. I have not used these but I am told that the smell is the same as weed and will raise eyebrows.
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Post by bookd on Feb 15, 2019 15:47:45 GMT
A diversion I have seen today in Twickenham. Hampton Road is closed for some reason for a very short stretch on the southern side of Twickenham Green. The signposted diversion for cars is via First Cross Road, which only adds a short distance,but this would not be suitable for buses. The bus diversion is to continue on Staines Road, left into Sixth Cross Road to Fulwell Garage except for the 290 which continues on Staines Road missing out Fulwell altogether. Quite a long diversion and a few unreserved stops for a few yards of roadworks.
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Post by bookd on Jan 21, 2019 14:56:41 GMT
Further to my previous post on Twickenham diversions I see that the avoided sections now have 'planned closure' notices on every stop (if anyone reads them). I have also noticed another event the following week, when Crossdeep is to be completely closed for 5 nights from 8 p.m. for resurfacing (possibly not before time). I would expect that the 33 and R68 will divert via Heath Road and Hampton Road to Fulwell Garage; the R68 could then go via Stanley Road and Teddington town centre to regain line of route at the Lock, maintaining a service to Teddington. Again there will be long sections of route that are not served.
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Post by bookd on Jan 20, 2019 15:04:56 GMT
I foresee a long and tricky diversion next week (although hopefully only for one night if the work is done on time). This came to mind driving in Crossdeep at Twickenham when I saw a diversion sign listing just about all the routes in the town. Next Wednesday the road through Heath Road railway bridge will be closed from 9 p.m. for bridge works. If I were driving that way by car I know plenty of back doubles which would avoid it, but none would be suitable for buses. As far as I can think the only suitable bus diversion for routes such as the 290, 490, R70, H22,281,and night versions would be to go via Fulwell Garage and then the 33 route via Teddington and Strawberry Hill. Even at night this would add about 20 minutes to journey times, and leave no service on the long stretches between Hospital Bridge Road or Fulwell Garage and Twickenham Town Centre. It would be hoped that the road is open for the morning rush hour otherwise there will be chaos for miles around.
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Post by bookd on Jan 5, 2019 15:28:02 GMT
On my local route buggy users always seem to use the centre door, which is much less disruptive to other passengers; the owner then goes to the front to touch in, and I have seldom seen any problems.
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Post by bookd on Dec 8, 2018 15:22:47 GMT
In that situation surely it would be possible for TfL to make a small payment to the garage for their staff to use the facilities - that must be cheaper than erecting and maintaining their own as at Biggin Hill. I have in mind the scheme in Richmond where quite a number of businesses will allow non customers to use their toilets, have a badge to that effect, and are paid by the council to do so.
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Post by bookd on Oct 26, 2018 14:30:22 GMT
Clearly TfL having given up hope on themselves now: I mean, what do you say to this? 😂 I thought that the geordie expression related to a firm of Newcastle insurance brokers - that is what I was told when I asked a motorist for his insurance details. (Sorry - old joke!) You really couldn't make this up, heads need to roll!
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Post by bookd on Oct 21, 2018 14:19:07 GMT
The question of temporary stops has been raised before. At lunchtime I was at the Alexander Pope pub in Twickenham - the stop outside is closed as one southbound lane is closed and northbound traffic diverted through the bus lane. I pointed this out to two ladies who were waiting for a bus and had not read the sign - they would then walk about 400 yards to the Town for the next stop. The point is that the obstruction is only directly opposite the bus stop; it would have been easy to place a 'dolly' stop about 25 yards away in the bus lane beyond the next junction. Are such possibilities no longer considered?
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Post by bookd on Aug 12, 2018 14:20:57 GMT
Coupled with my earlier post about the 111 (it appears that the diversion is right from Swan Road to the A316, double back at Feltham roundabout, then A316 back to Apex Corner and 285 route to Hampton Hill missing out most of Hanworth - that must be a 3 or 4 mile diversion). If that is still in place there would be about 7 miles of diversions on the 111 which is a very roundabout route at the best of times.
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