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Peter Heather · December 21st 06, 12:46 AM posted to uk.transport.london

wrote:
Peter Heather wrote:

It isn't just a bus lane; it's a lane for 'priority traffic'. It can be
used by lorries and motorcycles as well as any buses that are using the
by pass.

Sounds like most traffic except cars; is that about right. That would
make more sense than a purely bus lane; there are a lot of HGVs using
the bypass, but very few, if any, buses.

That's correct. It is part of TfL's policy to consider heavy lorries as
priority vehicles, especially in Outer London

Have I understood you correctly; there is a northbound priority lane, but
not a southbound one? What is the reason for that?

Because it is very unlikely that southbound vehicles will encounter
significant congestion. Once on the bypass there is little to prevent
free flow of traffic apart from unforeseen incidents. However, it is
inevitable that northbound traffic will meet some congestion on
occasions as it is heading into a busy area at Purley.

What seems strange to me is that there still seems to be almost an much
traffic on the main road through the town centre, despite the fact that
there is also a considerable amount on the bypass. It seems almost as
if we have gained extra traffic overnight, which surely cannot be the
case. I was epecting to see a major reduction in traffic on the main
roadd yesterday morning, and that just wasn't the case.

Maybe some drivers are sticking to the route they know through the town
centre for some reason. Part of phase 2, if it ever happens, is the
intention to close the Brighton Road outside the Library to all but
service traffic and buses. That would clear all the through traffic
out, except for traffic heading to and from Chipstead.

Peter