http://www.mumblesmatters.org.uk/?p=170 Mumbles Development Trust Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:41:25 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://www.mumblesmatters.org.uk/?p=170&cpage=1#comment-50031 Ken Attwell Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:36:40 +0000 http://www.mumblesmatters.org.uk/?p=170#comment-50031 I watched several buses entering the bus station at the Quadrant late morning. One was empty, and 6 others were approx. 20%(or less)used. Modified roads must have cost millions, why did we not spend money on a tram system similar to Amsterdam, Mannheim, and many other European cities, including a few cities in Britain. The central reservations down Oystermouth road, Kingsway etc. could have been used for single tram lines (with passing places where space allowed) Trams can climb reasonable inclines such as Hafod and Uplands, and Morriston as did the ancient Swansea trams of the 1930's. They can operate during icy conditions, and don't pour out diesel fumes. There are recorded instances of bendy busses skidding dangerously in icy conditions.(See the Internet) The lines will indicate to passenger (and motorists) where the routes are. Far less space will be needed for stops. A 60 foot bendy bus will need approx. 100 feet long bus stop to pick up passengers and help block our busy roads. How will bendy buses reverse out of the quadrant ? How will they negotiate Mumbles or is it planned to eventually to modify road there also ? Why are we having bendy buses when we are told other councils are scrapping them ? Someone in the council is bound to scream "Running Costs" Why not carry out a comparison study before committment ? There was someone on the council interested in the tram scheme and asked for volunteers to help with the study, but he did not answer my reply. http://www.mumblesmatters.org.uk/?p=170&cpage=1#comment-13614 The Editor Thu, 24 May 2007 16:27:07 +0000 http://www.mumblesmatters.org.uk/?p=170#comment-13614 That's a great comment, Mr Morgan, very well written. Actually though, there isn't going to be Bendy-Bus to Mumbles, as the Council have confirmed that the proposal is a dead duck. For the latest on this, see http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=161389&command=displayContent&sourceNode=161372&contentPK=17370541&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch http://www.mumblesmatters.org.uk/?p=170&cpage=1#comment-13611 P Morgan Thu, 24 May 2007 15:54:48 +0000 http://www.mumblesmatters.org.uk/?p=170#comment-13611 I find it absurd that the council are spending this amount of money to provide infrastructure for one private company to make profits from. Painted bus lanes that all service buses can use: well, that's ok. But making massive road changes tearing up green sites for the exclusive use of "last bus" and their ridiculous purple monstrosities?? A better, more frequent, faster and cheaper bus service for Mumbles could be achieved through the use of Assembly money in a more conventional way. First's fares are daylight robbery now (of course to "encourage us" to use the buses they're actually more expensive at the times we need them), so imagine what they'll be once they have the monopoly on a route into and out of Mumbles? Taking a Bendy-Bus, dressing it up as a tram, calling it a "streetcar" and calling the drivers "pilots" and conductors "hosts", and calling a bus lane a "metro" is not new thinking and it's certainly not a revolutionary form of public transport. It's hardly that green, it's not as if they're using fuel cells or hybrid technology, it is just a bog standard diesel Volvo bus with a "pimped" body. Make the buses cheaper and people will use them. First could stop sending us cast-off knackered dog boxes from the Midlands and Manchester areas and spend their money on a new fleet of standard service buses, that would be a damn sight cheaper than this proposal. As to tearing up the prom, take a glance at the side of one of First's shuttles and look at the photo they use to advertise Swansea, it's a picture of the very piece of land they want to remove for the "metro". http://www.mumblesmatters.org.uk/?p=170&cpage=1#comment-13391 The Editor Mon, 14 May 2007 18:49:49 +0000 http://www.mumblesmatters.org.uk/?p=170#comment-13391 Letter received by email from John Powell of Blackpill: Dear Sir, Are we to lose the valuable amenity shown in this photo [added to the bottom of the main article] and have it replaced with a bypass for the 'Bendy Buses'? I am pleased that we have been assured that the path for walkers, cyclists and the 'Mumbles Land Train' will not be affected, but what about the green landscape, gardens, hedges and mature trees that will inevitably have to be destroyed if there is to be a new 15ft carriageway? We choose to use this path along the shore for its relative peace and quiet and to enjoy the vista of the bay, but we would not be safe or able to relax if we had to be constantly on the lookout for buses coming in both directions. Yours, John Powell, Blackpill http://www.mumblesmatters.org.uk/?p=170&cpage=1#comment-1087 dave Thu, 21 Dec 2006 18:48:34 +0000 http://www.mumblesmatters.org.uk/?p=170#comment-1087 Thanks for the link and info above... I noticed this statement in the appraisal: "...the Swansea Metro proposal fits with national and local land-use and transport policies, as well as other policies for health, leisure, education and the community..." With all respect, the language used appears a little prescriptive and a balanced appraisal would benefit from a variety of viewpoints – do I detect 'spin'? I am assuming that a formal planning application for the development should be submitted (giving interested parties the opportunity to assess the plans) – does anyone know if this is the case, and if so, has an application already been submitted? http://www.mumblesmatters.org.uk/?p=170&cpage=1#comment-1053 Richard Tue, 19 Dec 2006 19:31:47 +0000 http://www.mumblesmatters.org.uk/?p=170#comment-1053 The only details I have found on these proposals are on the Council's website: http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=12990 This includes the sentences: >> Proposed priority Infrastructure: >> The main elements of the route design are summarised as follows: >> 60 no. high specification Waiting Stops / Shelters >> Mini-bypasses of roundabouts on A4067 Ffordd Tawe giving priority to buses on Neath Road >> Bypass of the Hafod with the StreetCar travelling on the two-way busway provided to serve the Landore Park & Ride service >> Introduction of a one-way system within the central area (on Kingsway / Mansel Street / De La Beche Street), with a segregated two-way busway on Kingsway – which will also be used by goods vehicles wishing to access retail premises south of Kingsway >> Segregated busway on Westway, with lay-by bus stops adjacent to Quadrant Bus Station >> Segregated busway into County Hall street network, bypassing junctions on Oystermouth Road >> Local widening of key junctions on Oystermouth Road for provision of bus lane approach where possible >> Westbound High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane on Oystermouth Road / Mumbles Road from St Helens to Blackpill >> Off-road westbound busway on current alignment of seafront cycleway / walkway. Widening and improvement to pedestrian and cycle facilities will be incorporated with the infrastructure to be provided >> Turnaround area at existing bus stop at Oystermouth So this seems to mean that the proposed new "busway" along the foreshore is to be constructed parallel and close to the existing cycle path, rather than as an extra lane widening Mumbles Road itself. http://www.mumblesmatters.org.uk/?p=170&cpage=1#comment-1019 dave Mon, 18 Dec 2006 20:08:23 +0000 http://www.mumblesmatters.org.uk/?p=170#comment-1019 The Bendy-bus, like any transport system, has advantages and disadvantages. Perhaps there is no ‘correct’ decision about which type of bus should be used; perhaps confidence can be found in the planners’ proposals. A major issue with the bus design is its turning circle; this affects the positioning of a terminus but does not require a ‘special’ bus lane. General information about ‘bendy-buses’ can be found here: http://www.answers.com/topic/articulated-bus Personally I adopt a philosophy of ‘deep ecology’ i.e. we are inextricably linked to the natural environment from which we evolved. Current human behaviours are damaging the natural environment and development of the foreshore is another ‘brick in the wall’ between humans and a balanced ecology. I don’t think it’s a good idea. However it would be unfair to single out ‘bendy-buses’ as the scapegoat for our environmental ills; there are currently 114 planning applications for the Blackpill area and if we were to measure these on their environmental merits then a bus lane begins to seem more acceptable. (In my opinion) in opposing development, consideration should be given to whether the opposition is specific to the ‘local’ individual or considers the ‘global’ needs of the whole of the Swansea community and its visitors. An outcome that recognises this will be successful. The most effective form of opposition is one that offers an acceptable alternative. Can anyone post details of (or links to) the planners' proposals please?