Cabbie asks Jeremy Vine to condemn 'speeding cyclists'... doesn't get the response he wanted; Daftest idea of the year awards, featuring proposed Cambridge 'Tesla Lanes'; Cycle lane with built-in kitchen; National Pothole Day + more on the live blog

Bristol's mayor Marvin Rees has announced a new charging scheme that will affect drivers entering a clean air zone (CAZ) in the centre of the city. The move comes after the government told Bristol City Council it needed to reduce air pollution levels to within legal limits. It has not yet been decided how much drivers will have to pay but the hope is that the scheme will encourage active travel and bring pollution levels within the limits in the quickest possible time.

How to make a left turn on a CYCLOPS junction when the light for cars is on red.

Simple as that. pic.twitter.com/rmxm2aheS7

— Sam 🚴🌱🍻Ⓥ (@MCRCycleSam) January 15, 2021

The UK's second CYCLOPS (Cycle Optimised Protected Signals) has opened following the successful launch of the first one in Manchetser in July. The junctions seperate people on foot or bike from traffic, giving them priority. Four more junctions of this type are to be built in the UK in 2021 with three more in Manchetser and one in Cambridge.

Greater Manchester’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said: "The CYCLOPS design is going to fundamentally change the way we do junctions. The experience for people travelling on foot and by bike is so vastly improved. Junctions are traditionally the most intimidating place for people not travelling in a car but this design turns that on its head, making once-scary local trips now an absolute joy." 

Revealed: full details of fare hikes from March 1.
🚍bus fares up 5p to £1.55
🚲Boris bike hire frozen at £2
🚠cable car up 11% to £5 pic.twitter.com/4qXmvvDhnO

— Ross Lydall (@RossLydall) January 15, 2021

The Evening Standard reports that Transport for London (TfL) is drawing up radical plans to restore its finances, with Santander Cycles one of the few transport options that will not currently see price rises. The £2 daily access charge for a Santander bike is to be frozen as other modes of transport's fares increase today in line with national rail's 2.6% rise. Bus fares will go up by 5p to £1.55 and a trip on the cable car is up 50p to £5. Some Tube fares are also increasing.

It comes as the Standard reports a 112-page document submitted to ministers earlier in the week shows that drivers could be charged £5.50 a day to enter Greater London and Canary Wharf could be moved into zone one of the Tube map. TfL commissioner Andy Byford said that they would need a further £3bn bailout before savings and new income could make the body responsible for the capital's public transport self-sufficient by 2023.

A four week consultation is being conducted to decide which of the five schemes drawn up by the council to improve active travel routes should be implemented. The scheme will be paid for by a grant of £335,000 from the government's active travel fund and the Windsor Observer reports the council is particularly keen for responses to plans for a segregated cycle route linking north-east and south Maidenhead.

LTNs and school streets are also being considered in parts of the three towns. Councillor Gerry Clark said: "This new funding from central Government is very welcome, and we’re keen to give residents a voice on how it’s spent through the consultation.The funding isn’t enough to deliver all five of the originally proposed schemes, so feedback from residents is particularly important.”

This is an utter disaster in the making. You can now buy your way out of queueing while degrading public transport. https://t.co/ObG9mfh0bo

— Adam Reynolds (@awjre) January 15, 2021

Cambridgeshire County Council may be getting a lot of feedback on their 'Tesla lanes' trial based off the response to our story yesterday... Many of you pointed out the dangers of allowing cars into bus lanes and argued that electric cars still have the same ability to harm vulnerable road users as non-electric vehicles. Other concerns included that electric vehicles are quieter than normal cars, which makes it harder for cyclists to hear them, and that allowing vehicles into bus lanes sets a dangerous precedent for future policy...  

Just 2 weeks into 2021 and the Award for the daftest idea of the year has already been decided.

— David Barker (@cocobarker1) January 14, 2021

This is a great answer to the question 'how do you make a bus lane less efficient, more dangerous and disproportionately benefit rich people?'

— Jordan (@jordanbhx) January 14, 2021