Similar to the "most unreliable services" thread, just somewhere to vent at the poorly planned road junctions that exist around the region.
I'll start with Perry Barr, especially the Wellington Road roundabout coming from town. It's coming to the point sometimes that it genuinely is quicker even for people who have trouble walking to get the 934/5/6/997 to Welhead Lane and walk back to the One Stop / Train station / 11 stops
Those traffic lights are a bit stupid with 10/20 seconds for the traffic turning left & right onto aldridge road and at least a minute to go straight
Notice a lot of time there is traffic in the Markets area especially the light for the buses turning left out
I'd say the lights by the Red Lion pub junction on Vicarage Road were programmed by a man with no eyes, your lucky if you get 10 seconds to get across westbound before a 90 second wait... Especially when the King Edward kids come out, the traffic has been backed up to the high street before now, it also contributes to the amount of "Not In Service" 11's you see in the evening!
Can I nominate a good chunk of the Central Birmingham road network. The stretch of road up from Moat Lane (Digbeth Gyratory), then Park Street and Moor Street by Selfridges, then along Moor Street Queensway.
It seems to be choked with traffic and buses all day long and has been like that since the new Bull Ring opened. Of course this is only one way, going the other way seems to be no problem because of a lesser traffic flow.
Scott Arms junction, always traffic there. Also Various sections of the Chester Road can get rather fun, especially the bit between Spitfire island and the Baggot Arms (which dosent help the 28 route).
Afternoon peak time on Birmingham New Road and Wednesfield Road in and out of Wolverhampton builds up heavy with traffic.
But so do most busy routes. Thats where the famous saying about buses comes in "You wait ages for a bus and 2 come together" but instead you find 3-4 in a row instead
The Soho road is always congested in the daytime between Hockley and the WBA football ground. To travel around 3/4 miles it can take anything from 45 minutes to an hour hence the need for the 74E and 75E to get buses doing constant short workings to try and split them up as their often in bunches.
Anywhere between Quinton and Halesowen becomes clogged with traffic at peak times without fail, towards Birmingham in the morning and out of Birmingham every evening about 4:30-7pm
Around 5 to 530 on the Bloxwich to Walsall route, due to delays in Bloxwich High St.
When I used to use the route more regular, that is.
Down the Road from me Sheaf Lane gets slight delays on school days between 7:30-9:00am going towards Solihull
Warren Farm Road and Hawthorn Road junction can be awful sometimes. 2 33s can get stuck together there, but it is a lot better now since the light sequence have been changed.
Sheldon can also be bad at the lights at The Wheatsheaf
Quote from: John on June 16, 2013, 05:27:01 PM
Sheldon can also be bad at the lights at The Wheatsheaf
I can be a witness to that :)
Quote from: trident4370 on June 15, 2013, 09:21:45 PM
I'd say the lights by the Red Lion pub junction on Vicarage Road were programmed by a man with no eyes, your lucky if you get 10 seconds to get across westbound before a 90 second wait... Especially when the King Edward kids come out, the traffic has been backed up to the high street before now, it also contributes to the amount of "Not In Service" 11's you see in the evening!
I'll second that! If ever there was a strong candidate for a junction with 'smart traffic lights' (that detect when a bus is approaching and adjust accordingly) then that must be one of them!
As mentioned elsewhere, another candidate is the Black horse junction in Northfield. This can be bad all week and not just during peaks. I cant understand how the two sets of lights have remained unsequenced for so long
Quote from: Stu on June 16, 2013, 08:50:12 PM
Quote from: trident4370 on June 15, 2013, 09:21:45 PM
I'd say the lights by the Red Lion pub junction on Vicarage Road were programmed by a man with no eyes, your lucky if you get 10 seconds to get across westbound before a 90 second wait... Especially when the King Edward kids come out, the traffic has been backed up to the high street before now, it also contributes to the amount of "Not In Service" 11's you see in the evening!
I'll second that! If ever there was a strong candidate for a junction with 'smart traffic lights' (that detect when a bus is approaching and adjust accordingly) then that must be one of them!
I agree, something needs to be done although as the council have only just bodged the timings up on them once, I can't see them doing anything else there for a while again now!
alum rock road makes the most money in the UK for wardens from parking fines
On the WB5 route, you can hit traffic nearly everywhere, including:
All Saints Way, West Bromwich - can be busy evening peak
Scott Arms (both directions) - morning peak it can queue back down to Buffet Island, and has taken me 30 minutes from Pheasey to Scott Arms before! evening peak can queue back down to the malt shovel pub, although if the motorway's screwed it can queue to the Crematorium and beyond!
Queslett - as above
Kingstanding - dual carriageway with parking on one lane both directions plus traffic turning right blocks everything up. Plus the Circle.
New Oscott - especially on a Saturday
Coming in and out of Sutton.
Bristol Road:
- Northfield - Black Horse Junction. Traffic backed up to at least Lockwood Road.
- Selly Oak - Edgbaston Park Road. Numerous traffic lights causes congestion across all times of day.
- Holloway Head Island - Horsefair. Suffolk Street Queensway is on Green light too long causing the island to get congested blocking up Bath Row and Bristol Street.
- Bristol Road South - Tessall Lane Jnct. Morning rush hour you can lose 6 minutes due to poor signal timings and sheer volume of traffic.
And on Longbridge Lane you get severe traffic due to road works out side of the new Sainsburys down by Longbridge Station.
And not forgetting Quinton Church in morning and afternoon rush hour. Terrible.
Quote from: The Rat on June 17, 2013, 03:49:57 PM
And not forgetting Quinton Church in morning and afternoon rush hour. Terrible.
I had already mentioned that one
Quote from: nitromatt1 on June 17, 2013, 04:58:04 PM
Quote from: The Rat on June 17, 2013, 03:49:57 PM
And not forgetting Quinton Church in morning and afternoon rush hour. Terrible.
I had already mentioned that one
Sorry, hadn't noticed there is 2 pages on this topic. Easy mistake, let me off ;)
Quote from: The Rat on June 17, 2013, 05:27:05 PM
Quote from: nitromatt1 on June 17, 2013, 04:58:04 PM
Quote from: The Rat on June 17, 2013, 03:49:57 PM
And not forgetting Quinton Church in morning and afternoon rush hour. Terrible.
I had already mentioned that one
Sorry, hadn't noticed there is 2 pages on this topic. Easy mistake, let me off ;)
Don't worry I forgive you ;) ;)
The Warwick Road through Tyseley and Greet is bad at the best of times most mornings heading towards City on the 37, due to the cars on the 'school run', but this morning took the biscuit! Roadworks at the junction with Seeleys Road meant the outbound-lane from City was closed, and temporary traffic lights were in place; traffic towards the city was crawling at a near standstill all the way back to Acocks Green village.
As a result it took me over an hour to get to work, by which time I was over half an hour late. I'd have been better off walking! Why can't they carry these works out at the weekend or late in the evening when there is less traffic?
Quote from: The Rat on June 17, 2013, 05:27:05 PM
Quote from: nitromatt1 on June 17, 2013, 04:58:04 PM
Quote from: The Rat on June 17, 2013, 03:49:57 PM
And not forgetting Quinton Church in morning and afternoon rush hour. Terrible.
I had already mentioned that one
Sorry, hadn't noticed there is 2 pages on this topic. Easy mistake, let me off ;)
Mr Rat, how do you find the Harborne Road when you're on the 22/3/4/9? Hasn't been so bad the last few weeks but it can be shocking towards city in the morning peak. Travelled on a B5 a while back and from Waitrose Harborne all the way to the White Swan it never got out of electric mode the traffic was crawling that slowly.
Quote from: Mike K on June 17, 2013, 09:54:06 PM
Quote from: The Rat on June 17, 2013, 05:27:05 PM
Quote from: nitromatt1 on June 17, 2013, 04:58:04 PM
Quote from: The Rat on June 17, 2013, 03:49:57 PM
And not forgetting Quinton Church in morning and afternoon rush hour. Terrible.
I had already mentioned that one
Sorry, hadn't noticed there is 2 pages on this topic. Easy mistake, let me off ;)
Mr Rat, how do you find the Harborne Road when you're on the 22/3/4/9? Hasn't been so bad the last few weeks but it can be shocking towards city in the morning peak. Travelled on a B5 a while back and from Waitrose Harborne all the way to the White Swan it never got out of electric mode the traffic was crawling that slowly.
Hi Mike,
As you have said, rush hour is sickening in Harborne. For some reason the morning rush is nothing compared to afternoon. But as I'm sure you're aware you've got plenty of running time on that side of town, but if you want some Hybrid Thrash you've got no chance lol
Of course it doesn't help people illegally parking along the high street either.
War Lane can be a bit of a pickle sometimes. As can Westbourne Road off Calthorpe Road can be annoying.
And of course 5ways!!!!
Just curious, where do you live, Mike? I'm not asking for an address but general area lol ;)
Hello Rat, or should we call you the artist formerly known as BCM :)? I live not far from the shops by the island where War Lane, Northfield Road and Fellows Lane all meet, so I'm very familiar with the 22, 23 and 99 routes. And tired of a 4 mile daily commute that can take 50 mins to an hour on a really bad day!
Quote from: Mike K on June 18, 2013, 09:23:21 PM
Hello Rat, or should we call you the artist formerly known as BCM :)? I live not far from the shops by the island where War Lane, Northfield Road and Fellows Lane all meet, so I'm very familiar with the 22, 23 and 99 routes. And tired of a 4 mile daily commute that can take 50 mins to an hour on a really bad day!
Ahh. I'll keep an eye out for you. And BCM? Birmingham Corp. Mole? I'm trying to think of various rodents lol.
The rat name came about by my nickname, outside of work of course ;)
I think the Hybrids are over-hyped now, I think they should go on other routes now to show green buses to other areas of Birmingham. Then again, put them on The Rock.. maybe not.
Some people on the forum think your someone who used to be on the forum working at BC garage called BC Moblile hense BCM!
Quote from: The Rat on June 18, 2013, 09:33:54 PM
Quote from: Mike K on June 18, 2013, 09:23:21 PM
Hello Rat, or should we call you the artist formerly known as BCM :)? I live not far from the shops by the island where War Lane, Northfield Road and Fellows Lane all meet, so I'm very familiar with the 22, 23 and 99 routes. And tired of a 4 mile daily commute that can take 50 mins to an hour on a really bad day!
Ahh. I'll keep an eye out for you. And BCM? Birmingham Corp. Mole? I'm trying to think of various rodents lol.
The rat name came about by my nickname, outside of work of course ;)
I think the Hybrids are over-hyped now, I think they should go on other routes now to show green buses to other areas of Birmingham. Then again, put them on The Rock.. maybe not.
Please don't be suggesting that to management! People round here, including my folks who also live locally remark on how much more pleasant bus travel is since the Hybrids were introduced. They're well looked after by BC in terms of removing vandalism etc. and whilst it's a far from perfect route, the buses just do not get trashed to the same extent as say those on the 14. And even the 99s are decent these days.
Anyway, back to traffic hotspots. The lights by Highgate Fire Station on the 50 from city always used to be a problem. Buses often went into the right hand lane (which was for turning right only) but went straight ahead when the lights turned green to jump the queues. Do they still do this or is that a manoeuvre that would get you the sack if you were DQM'd these days?
I will the Birmingham New Road and Sedgley at peak times to that list
Kings Heath High Street seems to be always congested. Especially at the lights by Vicarage Road
Quote from: Trident 4609 on June 18, 2013, 09:52:52 PM
Some people on the forum think your someone who used to be on the forum working at BC garage called BC Moblile hense BCM!
Oh I see. I have read his/her posts and I can assure you I am not.
I'm just a harmless rat.
Another contender for traffic blackspot is the Q.E. Hospital. Even though they have the traffic wardens present, taxis still park illegally. Yes, cars can pass but have you tried manouvering a 40ft B7rle though
that gap?!
Quote from: Mike K on June 18, 2013, 09:57:40 PM
Quote from: The Rat on June 18, 2013, 09:33:54 PM
Quote from: Mike K on June 18, 2013, 09:23:21 PM
Hello Rat, or should we call you the artist formerly known as BCM :)? I live not far from the shops by the island where War Lane, Northfield Road and Fellows Lane all meet, so I'm very familiar with the 22, 23 and 99 routes. And tired of a 4 mile daily commute that can take 50 mins to an hour on a really bad day!
Ahh. I'll keep an eye out for you. And BCM? Birmingham Corp. Mole? I'm trying to think of various rodents lol.
The rat name came about by my nickname, outside of work of course ;)
I think the Hybrids are over-hyped now, I think they should go on other routes now to show green buses to other areas of Birmingham. Then again, put them on The Rock.. maybe not.
Please don't be suggesting that to management! People round here, including my folks who also live locally remark on how much more pleasant bus travel is since the Hybrids were introduced. They're well looked after by BC in terms of removing vandalism etc. and whilst it's a far from perfect route, the buses just do not get trashed to the same extent as say those on the 14. And even the 99s are decent these days.
Anyway, back to traffic hotspots. The lights by Highgate Fire Station on the 50 from city always used to be a problem. Buses often went into the right hand lane (which was for turning right only) but went straight ahead when the lights turned green to jump the queues. Do they still do this or is that a manoeuvre that would get you the sack if you were DQM'd these days?
Sorry Mike, Harbornes' had enough of them now he he. But I've experienced first hand how good the voice stop system thing is. A blind chap of whom lives the stop before the 22/23 splits asked me why the bus' voice wasn't working. I simply replied "I've got a Trident for this late night". - Expecting him not to know what I was on about, he replied "It must have a ZF box by the sounds of it". - Turns out he is an enthusiast. Surely it'll be difficult for him, you know, being blind and all.
Regarding the queue jumping, you'll be sent back to Walsall/Miller St for sure. It's the same in the rush hour at Selly Oak jnct. Oak Tree Lane. Drivers use the middle lane and cut across the cars in the bus lane to serve the bus stop. Upon mentioning to said drivers' that'll gain you a day at Training the response was "I dont give a f**k". 10 years i've been on this job and I dont see why trying to run to time you'll risk everything.
Quote
Regarding the queue jumping, you'll be sent back to Walsall/Miller St for sure. It's the same in the rush hour at Selly Oak jnct. Oak Tree Lane. Drivers use the middle lane and cut across the cars in the bus lane to serve the bus stop. Upon mentioning to said drivers' that'll gain you a day at Training the response was "I dont give a f**k". 10 years i've been on this job and I dont see why trying to run to time you'll risk everything.
Interesting. I guess you could get away with a whole lot more in the old days. The Queensbridge Road lights was another place where you often got queue jumping on the 50. Cars would queue in the bus lane and buses would often go down the right hand lane and cut in when the lights changed. Some days you could end up 3 or 4 buses in front of where you started. From a passenger perspective good if you just want to get home after a crap day at work but as you say from a driver perspective just not worth the risk nowadays.