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Post by SILENCED on Aug 24, 2021 17:20:23 GMT
Since Covid alot of people have really lost it become careless amongst other things the craziness on the roads is getting so much worse. I had 2 very close calls on the 326 today towards Brent Cross in 1 trip. One unwise woman decided to cut across me at the mini roundabout near the Sainsbury's (give way to the traffic approaching from the right means nothing!) Then at Hendon Central on the dual carriageway an Old guy in a Lexus decided to cut across me from the middle lane to aprk up on the left, instead of waiting until I went past. The worst thing about this is when I pulled away from the Hendon Central bus stop he was already at the lights and the left lane was completely free, so he had the choice to be in the lane in the first place!! Is it hardly surprising most motorists have lost it given the way local councils and the Mayor are treating them. |
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Post by Volvo on Aug 24, 2021 17:31:00 GMT
Since Covid alot of people have really lost it become careless amongst other things the craziness on the roads is getting so much worse. I had 2 very close calls on the 326 today towards Brent Cross in 1 trip. One unwise woman decided to cut across me at the mini roundabout near the Sainsbury's (give way to the traffic approaching from the right means nothing!) Then at Hendon Central on the dual carriageway an Old guy in a Lexus decided to cut across me from the middle lane to aprk up on the left, instead of waiting until I went past. The worst thing about this is when I pulled away from the Hendon Central bus stop he was already at the lights and the left lane was completely free, so he had the choice to be in the lane in the first place!! Is it hardly surprising most motorists have lost it given the way local councils and the Mayor are treating them. That isn't bus drivers issue, I had a bus with lots of elderly people going shopping, mum's with prams/kids etc when both these incidents happened. That is my priority, if they have issues with the mayor or local councils go take their frustrations out on them. Don't cut Infront of a bus etc. |
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Post by thesquirrels on Aug 24, 2021 20:33:55 GMT
Since Covid alot of people have really lost it become careless amongst other things the craziness on the roads is getting so much worse. I had 2 very close calls on the 326 today towards Brent Cross in 1 trip. One unwise woman decided to cut across me at the mini roundabout near the Sainsbury's (give way to the traffic approaching from the right means nothing!) Then at Hendon Central on the dual carriageway an Old guy in a Lexus decided to cut across me from the middle lane to aprk up on the left, instead of waiting until I went past. The worst thing about this is when I pulled away from the Hendon Central bus stop he was already at the lights and the left lane was completely free, so he had the choice to be in the lane in the first place!! I've had trouble on that roundabout outside NB Sainsburys before. A serial PITA roundabout junction is the pair at the top of Bruce Grove/bottom of the eastern arm of the Roundway. I have lost count of the number of cars that have pulled out on me there - I have come to brace myself for it. |
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Post by SILENCED on Aug 24, 2021 23:00:59 GMT
Is it hardly surprising most motorists have lost it given the way local councils and the Mayor are treating them. That isn't bus drivers issue, I had a bus with lots of elderly people going shopping, mum's with prams/kids etc when both these incidents happened. That is my priority, if they have issues with the mayor or local councils go take their frustrations out on them. Don't cut Infront of a bus etc. It is a general driving issue ... so will affect all road users ... bus drivers are not immune to the effects of these changes. |
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Post by ronnie on Aug 25, 2021 4:16:10 GMT
The other thing which is extremely annoying nowadays is cars changing lanes without indicating. Too frequent nowadays frankly - you almost need to guess nowadays from the way some cars are moving. Luckily most of it from what I have seen has been at low speeds with a decent amount of space but the habit is extremely annoying
I had a black cab change lanes on the M25 in front of me without indicating last week! I was also in the process of changing lanes (going from lane 4 to 3 after overtaking a bunch of lane hogs) and the guy decided to move from 2 to 3 without indicating. What a moron that guy was frankly
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Post by Volvo on Aug 25, 2021 15:38:47 GMT
That isn't bus drivers issue, I had a bus with lots of elderly people going shopping, mum's with prams/kids etc when both these incidents happened. That is my priority, if they have issues with the mayor or local councils go take their frustrations out on them. Don't cut Infront of a bus etc. It is a general driving issue ... so will affect all road users ... bus drivers are not immune to the effects of these changes. However bus drivers are targeted more! I can tell you this for a fact I see it everyday, I am on the roads for long periods of time whether in the car or the bus. Doesn't detract from the fact that they do it more to bus drivers than other road users and that need to go and take it out on who makes them upset. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2021 16:48:37 GMT
Road rage is definitely an issue recently. Yesterday I was in Chelsea on the West Cross Route where there was an elderly man in his car turning right from Fulham Road to the West Cross Route, whilst the driver behind him beeped and made gestures that showed he was really angry, whilst today in Bounds Green a car was taking ages to turn right from Bounds Green Road which resulted in huge queues behind it and several of them beeping their horns.
I think what seems to be the problem is that most people are in a rush to get to their destinations, and people need to slow down and realise that some of these drivers are elderly or haven't had much experience on the road
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Post by LondonNorthern on Aug 25, 2021 22:18:24 GMT
Road rage is definitely an issue recently. Yesterday I was in Chelsea on the West Cross Route where there was an elderly man in his car turning right from Fulham Road to the West Cross Route, whilst the driver behind him beeped and made gestures that showed he was really angry, whilst today in Bounds Green a car was taking ages to turn right from Bounds Green Road which resulted in huge queues behind it and several of them beeping their horns. I think what seems to be the problem is that most people are in a rush to get to their destinations, and people need to slow down and realise that some of these drivers are elderly or haven't had much experience on the road I don't agree with road rage at all but regarding Bounds Green if you use the area regularly you'll understand why so many people are sick and tired of driving through that and Palmers Green. Consistency of the A406 is one factor, you have the A406 between Kew Bridge & Hanger Lane hugely residential and largely easy to snarl, then you have Hanger Lane - Neasden which is okay in regards to road space but then you have that awful Neasden Junction with the A4088*, Neasden to Brent Cross is okay but westbound it can be a tragedy in the peaks especially around Waterloo Road/Staples Corner due to merging lanes, you then have Henlys Corner - Brent Cross which again snarls up especially around the Golders Green Road Junction, Henlys to about Friern Barnet is okay, Friern Barnet round to Palmers Green is awful due to the lanes merging, Palmers Green - about Redbridge can be horrendous especially if the Fore Street Tunnel goes to pot.
My second point RE Bounds Green is that pre LTN the roads around there weren't in a great state anyway, having an LTN has only worsened the problem. To me Bounds Green is an absolute nightmare because of the limited number of escapes you can use, Brownlow Road is a no go zone and the A406 regularly goes to pot. I absolutely echo drivers frustrations regarding traffic as it's silly how Bounds Green on the A406 has about 50 million traffic lights and also a result of poor planning regarding road infrastructure.
Lots of people are in a rush to get to their destinations, that's the reason why people get a car/use public transport. The way the government are able to pluck all these millions out for active travel when the national bus network is in crisis absolutely astonishes me. And going back onto my point regarding rushing, some people who drive really bite off more than they can chew. If you aren't confident in regards to driving, you should take a different route until you build that confidence. Harsh I know, but I'm sick and tired of waiting at junctions for people who cannot just turn out onto a road. Neasden is a massive example of this, particularly on Neasden Lane North where people turn onto the A406, you're sat already in an awful queue that can stretch as far back as the LIDL and you have to wait endlessly for people to turn left, but what I will say is better safe than sorry. In regards to elderly people or "sunday drivers" I understand completely that they may not be confident due to age and also perhaps height and I totally sympathise with OAPs on this but I do think there should be a crackdown on driving standards. For example one of my neighbours cannot even park without mounting the curb (and sometimes hitting other cars) but she at the age of 90 is still driving around. |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Aug 26, 2021 10:23:25 GMT
Road rage is definitely an issue recently. Yesterday I was in Chelsea on the West Cross Route where there was an elderly man in his car turning right from Fulham Road to the West Cross Route, whilst the driver behind him beeped and made gestures that showed he was really angry, whilst today in Bounds Green a car was taking ages to turn right from Bounds Green Road which resulted in huge queues behind it and several of them beeping their horns. I think what seems to be the problem is that most people are in a rush to get to their destinations, and people need to slow down and realise that some of these drivers are elderly or haven't had much experience on the road I don't agree with road rage at all but regarding Bounds Green if you use the area regularly you'll understand why so many people are sick and tired of driving through that and Palmers Green. Consistency of the A406 is one factor, you have the A406 between Kew Bridge & Hanger Lane hugely residential and largely easy to snarl, then you have Hanger Lane - Neasden which is okay in regards to road space but then you have that awful Neasden Junction with the A4088*, Neasden to Brent Cross is okay but westbound it can be a tragedy in the peaks especially around Waterloo Road/Staples Corner due to merging lanes, you then have Henlys Corner - Brent Cross which again snarls up especially around the Golders Green Road Junction, Henlys to about Friern Barnet is okay, Friern Barnet round to Palmers Green is awful due to the lanes merging, Palmers Green - about Redbridge can be horrendous especially if the Fore Street Tunnel goes to pot.
My second point RE Bounds Green is that pre LTN the roads around there weren't in a great state anyway, having an LTN has only worsened the problem. To me Bounds Green is an absolute nightmare because of the limited number of escapes you can use, Brownlow Road is a no go zone and the A406 regularly goes to pot. I absolutely echo drivers frustrations regarding traffic as it's silly how Bounds Green on the A406 has about 50 million traffic lights and also a result of poor planning regarding road infrastructure.
Lots of people are in a rush to get to their destinations, that's the reason why people get a car/use public transport. The way the government are able to pluck all these millions out for active travel when the national bus network is in crisis absolutely astonishes me. And going back onto my point regarding rushing, some people who drive really bite off more than they can chew. If you aren't confident in regards to driving, you should take a different route until you build that confidence. Harsh I know, but I'm sick and tired of waiting at junctions for people who cannot just turn out onto a road. Neasden is a massive example of this, particularly on Neasden Lane North where people turn onto the A406, you're sat already in an awful queue that can stretch as far back as the LIDL and you have to wait endlessly for people to turn left, but what I will say is better safe than sorry. In regards to elderly people or "sunday drivers" I understand completely that they may not be confident due to age and also perhaps height and I totally sympathise with OAPs on this but I do think there should be a crackdown on driving standards. For example one of my neighbours cannot even park without mounting the curb (and sometimes hitting other cars) but she at the age of 90 is still driving around. Bounds Green Rd is a mess due to the cycle lane with poles that stop cars verging into it. It is illegal to do this imo as the cycle lane has a broken line instead of a solid white line. The traffic caused to rotue 221 now with vehicles waiting to turn right creates heavy delays as the straight traffic can no longer pass with ease due to the poles stopping people using the cycle lanes. Palmers Green has been made worse over the years as the roads that could have been used as short cuts to come off the A406 in heavy traffic have been closed or changed to exit only. The impact of the traffic because of these side road closures has taken a hit on the 102, 184, 221. Over the years, this has added extra buses to the schedule just to counter in the traffic at these locations. |
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Post by Volvo on Aug 26, 2021 15:02:56 GMT
I don't agree with road rage at all but regarding Bounds Green if you use the area regularly you'll understand why so many people are sick and tired of driving through that and Palmers Green. Consistency of the A406 is one factor, you have the A406 between Kew Bridge & Hanger Lane hugely residential and largely easy to snarl, then you have Hanger Lane - Neasden which is okay in regards to road space but then you have that awful Neasden Junction with the A4088*, Neasden to Brent Cross is okay but westbound it can be a tragedy in the peaks especially around Waterloo Road/Staples Corner due to merging lanes, you then have Henlys Corner - Brent Cross which again snarls up especially around the Golders Green Road Junction, Henlys to about Friern Barnet is okay, Friern Barnet round to Palmers Green is awful due to the lanes merging, Palmers Green - about Redbridge can be horrendous especially if the Fore Street Tunnel goes to pot.
My second point RE Bounds Green is that pre LTN the roads around there weren't in a great state anyway, having an LTN has only worsened the problem. To me Bounds Green is an absolute nightmare because of the limited number of escapes you can use, Brownlow Road is a no go zone and the A406 regularly goes to pot. I absolutely echo drivers frustrations regarding traffic as it's silly how Bounds Green on the A406 has about 50 million traffic lights and also a result of poor planning regarding road infrastructure.
Lots of people are in a rush to get to their destinations, that's the reason why people get a car/use public transport. The way the government are able to pluck all these millions out for active travel when the national bus network is in crisis absolutely astonishes me. And going back onto my point regarding rushing, some people who drive really bite off more than they can chew. If you aren't confident in regards to driving, you should take a different route until you build that confidence. Harsh I know, but I'm sick and tired of waiting at junctions for people who cannot just turn out onto a road. Neasden is a massive example of this, particularly on Neasden Lane North where people turn onto the A406, you're sat already in an awful queue that can stretch as far back as the LIDL and you have to wait endlessly for people to turn left, but what I will say is better safe than sorry. In regards to elderly people or "sunday drivers" I understand completely that they may not be confident due to age and also perhaps height and I totally sympathise with OAPs on this but I do think there should be a crackdown on driving standards. For example one of my neighbours cannot even park without mounting the curb (and sometimes hitting other cars) but she at the age of 90 is still driving around. Bounds Green Rd is a mess due to the cycle lane with poles that stop cars verging into it. It is illegal to do this imo as the cycle lane has a broken line instead of a solid white line. The traffic caused to rotue 221 now with vehicles waiting to turn right creates heavy delays as the straight traffic can no longer pass with ease due to the poles stopping people using the cycle lanes. Palmers Green has been made worse over the years as the roads that could have been used as short cuts to come off the A406 in heavy traffic have been closed or changed to exit only. The impact of the traffic because of these side road closures has taken a hit on the 102, 184, 221. Over the years, this has added extra buses to the schedule just to counter in the traffic at these locations. Honestly driving in London now is just really horrible. It takes so long to go from one place to another something which years ago maybe took 10 mins now takes about 30-40. |
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Post by RM5chris on Aug 26, 2021 18:52:43 GMT
I don't agree with road rage at all but regarding Bounds Green if you use the area regularly you'll understand why so many people are sick and tired of driving through that and Palmers Green. Consistency of the A406 is one factor, you have the A406 between Kew Bridge & Hanger Lane hugely residential and largely easy to snarl, then you have Hanger Lane - Neasden which is okay in regards to road space but then you have that awful Neasden Junction with the A4088*, Neasden to Brent Cross is okay but westbound it can be a tragedy in the peaks especially around Waterloo Road/Staples Corner due to merging lanes, you then have Henlys Corner - Brent Cross which again snarls up especially around the Golders Green Road Junction, Henlys to about Friern Barnet is okay, Friern Barnet round to Palmers Green is awful due to the lanes merging, Palmers Green - about Redbridge can be horrendous especially if the Fore Street Tunnel goes to pot.
My second point RE Bounds Green is that pre LTN the roads around there weren't in a great state anyway, having an LTN has only worsened the problem. To me Bounds Green is an absolute nightmare because of the limited number of escapes you can use, Brownlow Road is a no go zone and the A406 regularly goes to pot. I absolutely echo drivers frustrations regarding traffic as it's silly how Bounds Green on the A406 has about 50 million traffic lights and also a result of poor planning regarding road infrastructure.
Lots of people are in a rush to get to their destinations, that's the reason why people get a car/use public transport. The way the government are able to pluck all these millions out for active travel when the national bus network is in crisis absolutely astonishes me. And going back onto my point regarding rushing, some people who drive really bite off more than they can chew. If you aren't confident in regards to driving, you should take a different route until you build that confidence. Harsh I know, but I'm sick and tired of waiting at junctions for people who cannot just turn out onto a road. Neasden is a massive example of this, particularly on Neasden Lane North where people turn onto the A406, you're sat already in an awful queue that can stretch as far back as the LIDL and you have to wait endlessly for people to turn left, but what I will say is better safe than sorry. In regards to elderly people or "sunday drivers" I understand completely that they may not be confident due to age and also perhaps height and I totally sympathise with OAPs on this but I do think there should be a crackdown on driving standards. For example one of my neighbours cannot even park without mounting the curb (and sometimes hitting other cars) but she at the age of 90 is still driving around. Bounds Green Rd is a mess due to the cycle lane with poles that stop cars verging into it. It is illegal to do this imo as the cycle lane has a broken line instead of a solid white line. The traffic caused to rotue 221 now with vehicles waiting to turn right creates heavy delays as the straight traffic can no longer pass with ease due to the poles stopping people using the cycle lanes. Palmers Green has been made worse over the years as the roads that could have been used as short cuts to come off the A406 in heavy traffic have been closed or changed to exit only. The impact of the traffic because of these side road closures has taken a hit on the 102, 184, 221. Over the years, this has added extra buses to the schedule just to counter in the traffic at these locations. As a regular user of the 221 and cyclist along line of route for work, I dont think the cycle lane has made that much difference - in the mornings and evenings the traffic in the mornings during term is always bad, even before the wider cycle lane. Biggest issue causing the tail backs is the traffic cutting in from the side roads in the mornings together with the sets of lights as Bounds Green Station and The Springfield. In the afternoon, its the lights at Bounds Green Station and the junction itself, people going across to Brownlow Road and blocking Bounds Green Road....the Bounds Green Station junction needs to be a yellow box. Kids are still out and I went on the 221 this morning - Bounds Green Road was pretty empty at 07.40 and we sailed along....so well in fact the Controller called us up to stop and even out the service for 4-5 minutes... |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Aug 26, 2021 19:49:56 GMT
Bounds Green Rd is a mess due to the cycle lane with poles that stop cars verging into it. It is illegal to do this imo as the cycle lane has a broken line instead of a solid white line. The traffic caused to rotue 221 now with vehicles waiting to turn right creates heavy delays as the straight traffic can no longer pass with ease due to the poles stopping people using the cycle lanes. Palmers Green has been made worse over the years as the roads that could have been used as short cuts to come off the A406 in heavy traffic have been closed or changed to exit only. The impact of the traffic because of these side road closures has taken a hit on the 102, 184, 221. Over the years, this has added extra buses to the schedule just to counter in the traffic at these locations. As a regular user of the 221 and cyclist along line of route for work, I dont think the cycle lane has made that much difference - in the mornings and evenings the traffic in the mornings during term is always bad, even before the wider cycle lane. Biggest issue causing the tail backs is the traffic cutting in from the side roads in the mornings together with the sets of lights as Bounds Green Station and The Springfield. In the afternoon, its the lights at Bounds Green Station and the junction itself, people going across to Brownlow Road and blocking Bounds Green Road....the Bounds Green Station junction needs to be a yellow box. Kids are still out and I went on the 221 this morning - Bounds Green Road was pretty empty at 07.40 and we sailed along....so well in fact the Controller called us up to stop and even out the service for 4-5 minutes... When term time starts it would be back to square one. Especially towards Edgware, there was never these delays until they put the cycle posts and closed some side roads. it is the same thing outside Wood Green garage, only one bus can stop sensibly there, if another bus pulls up behind it can no longer get the exit door anywhere near the kerb, purely because of a 'tick boxes' cycle bollard. So much for equality. TfL and the councils are just full of it imo |
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Post by LondonNorthern on Aug 26, 2021 19:57:33 GMT
As a regular user of the 221 and cyclist along line of route for work, I dont think the cycle lane has made that much difference - in the mornings and evenings the traffic in the mornings during term is always bad, even before the wider cycle lane. Biggest issue causing the tail backs is the traffic cutting in from the side roads in the mornings together with the sets of lights as Bounds Green Station and The Springfield. In the afternoon, its the lights at Bounds Green Station and the junction itself, people going across to Brownlow Road and blocking Bounds Green Road....the Bounds Green Station junction needs to be a yellow box. Kids are still out and I went on the 221 this morning - Bounds Green Road was pretty empty at 07.40 and we sailed along....so well in fact the Controller called us up to stop and even out the service for 4-5 minutes... When term time starts it would be back to square one. Especially towards Edgware, there was never these delays until they put the cycle posts and closed some side roads. it is the same thing outside Wood Green garage, only one bus can stop sensibly there, if another bus pulls up behind it can no longer get the exit door anywhere near the kerb, purely because of a 'tick boxes' cycle bollard. So much for equality. TfL and the councils are just full of it imo Agreed and as I've said before I couldn't believe that the A24 due to these cycling groups has now been reduced down to one lane per direction, and in some cases one lane where there's even a bus stop marker in that lane so traffic has to wait behind the bus. It's absolutely ridiculous that lengths like that have been gone to.
In some places it's created an incentive for a modal switch onto public transport (the 263 is an example of this with bus lanes now being created up E Finc High Rd and across the A406) but crap for anyone who's got to get places.
Oh also regarding Wood Green, the section between Harringey Civic Centre & Station Road is an absolute joke in the peaks. And it's such a shame that the 221 is now plagued with hotspots at Harbet Corner (I hate that junction with a passion) and up through Bounds Green given that it used to be such a light run e2e.
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Post by RM5chris on Aug 26, 2021 19:58:15 GMT
As a regular user of the 221 and cyclist along line of route for work, I dont think the cycle lane has made that much difference - in the mornings and evenings the traffic in the mornings during term is always bad, even before the wider cycle lane. Biggest issue causing the tail backs is the traffic cutting in from the side roads in the mornings together with the sets of lights as Bounds Green Station and The Springfield. In the afternoon, its the lights at Bounds Green Station and the junction itself, people going across to Brownlow Road and blocking Bounds Green Road....the Bounds Green Station junction needs to be a yellow box. Kids are still out and I went on the 221 this morning - Bounds Green Road was pretty empty at 07.40 and we sailed along....so well in fact the Controller called us up to stop and even out the service for 4-5 minutes... When term time starts it would be back to square one. Especially towards Edgware, there was never these delays until they put the cycle posts and closed some side roads. it is the same thing outside Wood Green garage, only one bus can stop sensibly there, if another bus pulls up behind it can no longer get the exit door anywhere near the kerb, purely because of a 'tick boxes' cycle bollard. So much for equality. TfL and the councils are just full of it imo As mentioned, when heading to Edgware I dont think the cycle lane is a big factor - it was just as bad before when it was 'normal width'. I dont think the service has been as good since the North Finchley shorts were stopped. Its got better but those first few weeks without the shorts to ease loadings..... Yes, nice and quiet now in the mornings (I will most likely go back to my bike when the kids go back as sitting for 20-30 minutes on Bounds Green Road is no fun) - usual delays due to light jumpers/blockers at Bounds Green on my way home via 221 - the junction really needs to be a yellow box to keep it clear. Agree with the bollards by the garage - bit more busy tonight as Ensigns are there operating the THFC Shuttle as well |
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Post by LondonNorthern on Aug 26, 2021 20:03:31 GMT
When term time starts it would be back to square one. Especially towards Edgware, there was never these delays until they put the cycle posts and closed some side roads. it is the same thing outside Wood Green garage, only one bus can stop sensibly there, if another bus pulls up behind it can no longer get the exit door anywhere near the kerb, purely because of a 'tick boxes' cycle bollard. So much for equality. TfL and the councils are just full of it imo As mentioned, when heading to Edgware I dont think the cycle lane is a big factor - it was just as bad before when it was 'normal width'. I dont think the service has been as good since the North Finchley shorts were stopped. Its got better but those first few weeks without the shorts to ease loadings..... Yes, nice and quiet now in the mornings (I will most likely go back to my bike when the kids go back as sitting for 20-30 minutes on Bounds Green Road is no fun) - usual delays due to light jumpers/blockers at Bounds Green on my way home via 221 - the junction really needs to be a yellow box to keep it clear. Agree with the bollards by the garage - bit more busy tonight as Ensigns are there operating the THFC Shuttle as well Could a solution to the 221 shorts have been an extended 67 up to North Finchley/Friern Barnet? Dalston Junction - North Finchley definitely sounds workable. |
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