Only in Fulham?

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Hands calls on Council to stop buses acting dangerously in Fulham High Street

Cllr Greg Hands is calling on Hammersmith & Fulham Council to intervene and stop buses acting dangerously on Fulham High Street, as they pick up and drop off passengers.

With the remodelling works to Putney Bridge bus station various bus stops have been relocated, Cllr Hands has personally experienced how the relocation of the 414 service’s dropping points are placing the public at risk.

The problem is that the buses queue up on a regular sized bus stop, which does not have enough room for more than two buses.

Reporting on his experience, Greg said: “Yesterday (11/01/2005), I stepped down from a 74 bus at the stop on Fulham High Street, on the eastern (i.e. southbound) stop. Two stationary 414s were already filing the stop, meaning that the 74 had to set down further north on the cross hatchings by the pelican crossing - an illegal manoeuvre.

“Further, there are railings at the side of the road, meaning that the passenger needs to squeeze between the bus and the railings, taking the risk that the bus does not move off.

“Moreover, those using the pelican crossing are unable to see any oncoming traffic behind the bus - that is, after all, why pelican crossings have cross hatchings.

“I asked a manager from First Buses who was on site, and he told me that they had been instructed by the police to do this. I find this hard to believe, but it is clear to me that the Council, as highways authority for Fulham High Street, needs to urgently intervene here. The pelican on Fulham High Street was very treacherous even before the works to Putney Bridge bus station began - indeed, there was a serious Personal Injury Accident there in November. I have written today to the Council’s Highways Director, seeking urgent action.”

 

January 23, 2005