Motoring Discussion > M4 Bus Lane Miscellaneous
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 Fri 1 Oct 10 10:39 
 M4 Bus Lane - Zero
The controversial M4 bus lane is due to be scrapped at the end of the year.

Under the plans, all motorists will be able to use the 3.5 mile (5.6km) lane which operates on the London-bound carriageway from near Heathrow.



www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11451350
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 Fri 1 Oct 10 10:44 
 M4 Bus Lane - smokie
I like Phil Hammond's style - "Mr Hammond is expected to say: "Nothing is more symbolic of Labour's war on the motorist than the M4 bus lane."

Are the coalition announcing a cease fire then?
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 Fri 1 Oct 10 10:57 
 M4 Bus Lane - Boxsterboy
Good news - it is a chronic waste of tarmac at present.
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 Fri 1 Oct 10 14:10 
 M4 Bus Lane - lancara
Yes, it will be great to have the 3 into 2 lanes scramble at the start of the elevated section.
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 Fri 1 Oct 10 17:49 
 M4 Bus Lane - Cpt. Flack
It doesn't matter how many lanes are open on approach to the two lane elevated section, it is a mammoth bottleneck, and always will be.
The only answer is to have a graduated countdown in speed from the M25 junction right up to the start of the elevated section.
At present there is a 60 mph limit from Heston with a couple of speed cameras. This then drops to 40 mph prior to the elevated. You can see the traffic "wave"effect this causes. Anyone leaving London westwards will see a line of very slow or stationary traffic back as far as Heathrow sometimes.
The graduated reduction in speed should gradually slow the traffic down to a point where the bottleneck should cope. The only way to do this is with the back up of cameras I'm afraid.
Otherwise removing the bus lane itself will not have the traffic relieving expectations that so many of us wish.
Or the alternative is to widen the elevated section somehow.
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 Mon 18 Oct 10 11:00 
 M4 Bus Lane - henry k
Some more info and an interesting view on why the bus lane is good for all M4 users
www.cbrd.co.uk/indepth/m4buslane/
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 Mon 18 Oct 10 12:05 
 M4 Bus Lane - Cpt. Flack
As it stands, the traffic exists, believe me. The two lanes are not free flowing onto the elevated. The only way it can work in the guise of a two lane carriageway is how I suggested. Close the bus lane so it truley becomes two lanes for everyone. Gantry operated variable speeds that drop speed limits gradually to prevent wave effect during the worst of the hold ups backed up with cameras so the system works or install average speed cameras on this section from junction 3 onto the flyover at Chiswick.
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 Mon 18 Oct 10 13:10 
 M4 Bus Lane - Snakey
Great. Now great rid of the ridiculous bus lanes in Durham City, and the centre of Newcastle which are simply put there by vindictive car hating local authorities!
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 Mon 18 Oct 10 23:31 
 M4 Bus Lane - Kevin
>Some more info and an interesting view on why the bus lane is good for all M4 users

That view starts with the presumption that "It's virtually impossible..to widen the viaduct" .

They solved a similar problem on US 183 through Austin, Texas by building a second deck. They brought in pre-cast concrete sections and glued/bolted them in place overnight without disrupting daytime traffic.

Kevin...
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 Tue 19 Oct 10 01:17 
 M4 Bus Lane - Chicago

>> They solved a similar problem on US 183 through Austin, Texas by building a second
>> deck. They brought in pre-cast concrete sections and glued/bolted them in place overnight without disrupting
>> daytime traffic.
>>

Don't look for that approach from British authorities, who prefer 'masterly inactivity'
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 Tue 19 Oct 10 08:32 
 M4 Bus Lane - jc2
It's not just a bus lane;it's also used by MPs and others for "security purposes".
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 Tue 19 Oct 10 09:54 
 M4 Bus Lane - Mapmaker
In common with most motorists I felt a little thrill on hearing that the bus lane was to be abolished.

And then sense prevailed as I remembered that the M4 is two lanes anyway.

That article henryk linked to makes plenty of sense - I guess it is written by a "traffic engineer" and thus is spot on.
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 Tue 19 Oct 10 12:46 
 M4 Bus Lane - R40
>> "Don't look for that approach from British authorities, who prefer 'masterly inactivity"


I know, they are a disgrace these 'British Authorities' aren't they. After all they might actually want to consider the lives of the tens of thousands of British people living next to or near the M4 flyover before doubling its size. Now that would never happen in Chicago land would it lol ;)
Last edited by: R40 on Tue 19 Oct 10 at 12:47
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 Mon 15 Nov 10 00:48 
 M4 Bus Lane - henry k
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11752454

Work to remove the controversial M4 bus lane is due to begin.

The Highways Agency said work starts on Monday night and traffic could begin using the whole lane later in the week.
"We will monitor the suspension over the next 18 months,



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 Mon 15 Nov 10 10:37 
 M4 Bus Lane - Cpt. Flack
And how will the HA address the bottleneck prior to the elevated. Removing the bus lane will improve nothing otherwise.
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 Mon 15 Nov 10 11:29 
 M4 Bus Lane - Hard Cheese

I used this section of the M4 daily before after the bus lane opened up until early 2004, I was against it and still find it a truly illogical implementation however I did find that by merging the three lanes of traffic into two prior to the beginning of the elevated section it did improve the traffic flow.

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 Mon 15 Nov 10 12:03 
 M4 Bus Lane - Skoda
Instead of merging the bus lane and the overtaking lane, merge the current overtaking lane and driving lane. Prior to the merge paint german autobahn "boxes" in the driving and overtaking lane - 2 cars in a box = ticket for the guy at the back.

Put a merge in turn sign at the left and call it done :-)
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