http://www.guardian.co.uk/transport/Sto ... 16,00.html
Rightwinger's plan to ease left turns
Andrew Clark Transport correspondent
Friday June 2, 2006
The Guardian
Motorists would be allowed to turn left at red lights and the rules surrounding bus lanes would be relaxed under a Conservative plan intended to ease congestion on Britain's roads.
A policy group on competitiveness set up by David Cameron claims road capacity could be increased by between 10% and 20% through a 10-point proposal to ease restrictions on drivers.
The group, chaired by the rightwinger John Redwood,
wants to put cycle lanes on pavements and introduce changeable speed limits according to the time of day so that 20mph zones outside school only apply at the beginning and end of the day.
Bus lanes would only operate during rush hours, and even then the rules would be sufficiently relaxed to allow milk floats, electric vehicles and taxis.
All drivers turning left would treat red lights as "stop" signs under an American-style regime allowing them to go once the road is clear of pedestrians.
"We're talking about more common sense, achieving quick wins," said Mr Redwood. "These are improvements which would be safer and greener."
His comments drew a sceptical response from the RAC Foundation. Edmund King, executive director, said that allowing cars to turn on red lights could be dangerous: "It works in places like Los Angeles because there you've got very wide roads, very few pedestrians, and virtually no cyclists."
The policy group's suggestions include rephasing traffic lights at junctions to abolish any period when all the converging roads are on red.
Mr Redwood said his plans, which are in interim form and yet to be finalised, would enhance safety because a large proportion of accidents are at "badly designed" junctions in need of improvement. He will launch his suggestions today on a visit to the London borough of Barnet, where the Tory council has ripped out all of its road humps.
Login
Register
FAQ
