Effective road and traffic management

Written evidence from David Nelsey (ETM 02)

This is my submission to the Transport Committee who will undertake an inquiry into effective road and traffic management,

I am a simple motorist who has travelled the roads of Britain on average 35,000 miles a year for the last 20 years. I guess many of the Ministers, Members of the Transport Committee and Civil Servants who frame our legislation either do not travel by car or very rarely travel by car. It's time the day to day motorist had influence.

How to ease congestion on our roads is really quite simple if you know the problems. Here are some workable suggestions to implement in Law.

1) Scrap Bus Lanes. They give priority to empty buses over the mass population, whilst they queue behind lines of traffic. Buses are inherently bad for the environment. Yet we allow them the take up valuable space which can be used to reduce congestion for Cars.

2) If it is seen to be politically incorrect to totally scrap Bus Lanes then implement, by Law, a system that allow Bus Lanes only between the hours of 07:00 & 09:00 and then 16:30 till 19:00 on Mondays to Fridays only. Why oh why do local councils have bus lanes during the day and on Saturday & Sunday? Political Correctness !!!

3) In roadworks on Motorways and Duel Carriageways limit HGV, Trailers and Large Vans to Lane 1 (currently allowed in Lanes 1 & 2.) Normally there is a 50mph speed limit through these roadworks. Why do Trucks etc need the extra Lane? They cause tailbacks and congestion and frustration to cars etc when they 'elephant race'.

4) Enforce the 50mph speed limit in roadworks particularly to Trucks who regularly tail gate law abiding motorists by trying to maintain 56mph. Do they have some secret law allowing them to do this?

5) On Motorways and Dual Carriageways limit trucks, HGV.s etc to Lane 1 during the same hours as Bus Lanes. (This happens extensively across europe and it works). Again it prevents trucks trying to 'elephant race' (The truck in lane 1 might be doing 55mph. The one overtaking in Lane 2 is limited to 56mph). What happens? motorists are limited to Lane 3 and congestion and frustration occurs.

6) On Motorways and Dual Carriage ways limit Trucks, HGV.s etc to Lane 1 on hills and inclines ALL DAY. (This happens extensively across europe and it works). Again it prevents trucks trying to 'elephant race'  and keeps traffic flowing.

7) Get the Traffic Laws up to date for the new 4 Lane Motorways. Most drivers have not a clue how to drive on 4 lane motorways. Again, it's Trucks and HGV who cause problems. Why oh Why are they allowed in Lanes 1, 2 & 3 ? Whoever thought this was a good idea? Some boffin in Whitehall who doesn't drive on 4 lane motorways !! Just makes no sense as now we have elephant racing in 3 lanes with the normal motorists restricted to 1 lane. Why ??? Restrict HGV's etc to Lanes 1 & 2 and stop the congestion.

8) Restrict 'White Van Man to 60 mph on Motorways and remove them from Lane 3. They are a menace. (by the way I have driven a van).

9) Increase the speed limit to 80 mph (120 kph) on Motorways for Cars and enforce the law with more Traffic Police.

10) Get accidents cleared from Motorways and roads very, very quickly. It should be a goal that traffic is held up for no longer than 1 hour. If the Europeans can do it why can't we? Or, is the real objective to cause motorists and commerce a headache !! Have you ever asked yourself why the M25 needs to be closed for say 8 hours?

Remember I am only a simple motorist but I do extensively travel the roads and see simple solutions. Hope that you find them enlightening.

December 2010