Peter Fox wrote:
"David Bradley" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 21 Dec 2005 17:32:33 +0000 (UTC), "Peter Masson"
wrote:


"CJB" wrote in message
ups.com...
One of the main arguments against the WLT is that it is widely
thought that the trams will snarl up traffic even worse than it
already is. However I haven't seen the argument that trams will
actually help traffic flow much better.

They should do, by encouraging motorists out of their cars.

AIUI at least some of the complaints against the West London Tram
relate to 'pinch ponts' on the route, where the road will be
closed to all other traffic, which will be diverted on to a
parallel residential street - naturally residents on those streets
don't like the idea.

Naturally.

But it would not just be residential streets that would suffer increased
traffic. Many drivers would choose an alternative main road, thus
pushing more traffic on to Western Avenue and Chiswick High Road, and
thus increasing congestion and pollution there.

Today, Acton High Street was closed eastbound for emergency gas repairs,
so the 207 bendy-buses were using Chiswick High Road, presumably because
they couldn't get round the corners on any shorter alternative route on
residential roads.

But at least they could divert, which trams and trolley buses would not
be able to do.
--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)