Pop-up cycle lane in Filton scrapped after just FIVE days following complaints it caused traffic jams

How interesting that @David_on_a_bike doesn't mention @LabourBristol or @Conservatives when complaining that the bike lane has been removed! I'd call that typical Tory dual standards.

How interesting that @David_on_a_bike doesn't mention @LabourBristol or @Conservatives when complaining that the bike lane has been removed! I'd call that typical Tory dual standards.

How interesting that @David_on_a_bike doesn't mention @LabourBristol or @Conservatives when complaining that the bike lane has been removed! I'd call that typical Tory dual standards.

I saw this on Sunday when I was on the Concorde Way. There was a large sign just by the ped-cycle crossing, saying "Lane closed for social distancing". There was no indication that it was intended to be a cycle and pedestrian lane. In fact, because of the anti-personnel railings along the entire length of the kerb there, it's impossible to do so unless you realise at the crossing; which you wont, because there was nothing to say so. Oh, and if you had tried to cycle in the coned-off lane, you'd have found it blocked by a huge LED sign... 

I work up that way and, tbh, the cycle infrastructure up there is very good; however, people insist on driving from the, ever expanding, housing developments dotted around the ring road and, due to the proximity to motorways, people drive in from Wales and further afield.  I do a drive/cycle combo to avoid the horrific queues around there.  There is public transport but driving is cheap and convenient, so the area is a victim of its own success.  Anyone whose lives relatively close that moans about the traffic; if you suggest using a bike (even an e bike), pointing out that there are plenty of dedicated bike paths, they just look at you in horror.

The Concorde Way, SouthGlos/Bristol's premier cycle path, crosses the A4174 via a pedestrian/cycle crossing just a few yards away from that photo. As you approach from either direction, there is no signing to show the purpose of these lanes is for cycling so perhaps we were expected to know using mental telepathy? Indeed we presumed they were for bridge works further along, what a cock-up !

When I went past this the first time I was really confused what it was for.

The only sign I could see when comeing from the Filton Avenue junction towards the railway bridge said "lane closed". It gave no indication that it was for cyclists to use, not only that, the sign was blocking the entrance into the lane, so how was I supposed to get into it?

“Signs warning cyclists and pedestrians to take extra care along this section of the A4174 so they can remain two metres apart will be put up as soon as possible.”

Surely it's the motorists that need to take extra care, not the cyclists and pedestrians.  But we know signs for motorists are not always read e.g speed limit signs.

And motorists complaining about traffic jams and congestion! What? THEY are the traffic jams and congestion.

But that whole area in Filton is a nightmare.  LHuge MOD complex, university, retail park etc etc. I feel lucky that I don't have to commute through there.

can't they just pretend that it's just roadworks? 

So drivers, which incenses you more : coned-off stretches of road that are empty, or coned off bits of road full of cyclists?

I'm reminded of the deputy mayor of Ghent when they made the centre cycling/walking friendly. He gave an example of motorists complaining about the change;

“We had people complaining that a drive of 300 metres became a car journey of two kilometres,” remembers Watteeuw. “We had to explain that we don’t want people to use a car for 300 metres: they should walk.”

Okay not everybody's journey in Filton will be as short as 300 metres but many moderate journeys could still be done by bike and it's about not caving in at the first cries if discontent but instead encouraging and inspiring change.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/20/how-a-belgian-port-c...

It’s really important to get rid of these kinds of improvements before people actually get a chance to use them...

“We have listened to comments about the trial measures, which were implemented to allow more space for cyclists and pedestrians as lockdown restrictions are eased and people start to return to work. We understand the concern around increased congestion and are removing the cordoned off road space between the Abbey Wood roundabout and Emma Chris Way to a normal traffic lane."

In other words, back to normal now, folks.  Car is king, and would the peasants on bikes please consider buying a car?

So, the "modal shift" that was hoped for was just hot air after all.

Be interesting to know exactly how many complaints were received and from where exactly they originated from. Be interesting to know how far those complainants were travelling too.

The same logic that says "build more roads" that costs billions for even more fat, lazy people to queue in cars and pollute while they are at it.

LOL motorists were concerned about queues causing pollution,and without a doubt was said with no trace of irony

South Gloucestershire taking out cycle lanes only five days after putting them in; that's surprising.  That they did it in the first place and that they lasted five days.

Maybe if those drivers were to get out of their cars, ride a bike and stop bitching?