Reading Buses
Reading Buses explain why new A33 lanes aren't used all the time
Video footage shows a bus failing to use the dedicated lane for it in Reading
James AldridgeReporter
A damning dashcam video has shown Reading Buses failing to use a new dedicated bus lane on the A33 in South Reading .
The bus lane currently stretches from Kennet Island to the M4, and forms part of the South Reading Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) scheme.
The MRT has been devised to speed up bus travel for people from South Reading to and from the town centre along the A33.
So far, the £5 million phase 1 and 2 is in effect for southbound traffic, so those using buses can get home more quickly from the town centre, or to workplaces such as Green Park and the Whitley industrial areas.
The rationale is that the buses can drive along at a quick but safe speed unhindered by other traffic.
However, Baz Thexton-Carpenter, 44, of Charles Street, Reading, Berkshire, contacted getreading with video of a bus failing to use the dedicated lane on Thursday, July 19.
Mr Thexton-Carpenter, who was on his way to Basingstoke at the time, said: "It just drives me nuts [buses not using the new dedicated lane]. Someone has to be embarrassed into using it.
"It's just a whole heap of wasted money."
Phase 1 and 2 of the scheme cost Reading Borough Council £5 million, which was funded by a successful bid to the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership's (LEP) Local Growth Deal, and through private sector contributions.
Although the funding has come at no additional expense to the tax payer, Mr Thexton-Carpenter is still angry the bus lane is not being used.
In a barb at lead councillor for transport Tony Page, Mr Thexton-Carpenter said: "He actively promotes the buses and keeps pushing for more people to use public transport, and in turn always backs the construction of new bus lanes, the council spends the money - that they say they don't have - on these schemes, and then they are not used.
"My personal opinion is he is totally out of touch with the people of Reading and what issues need addressing."
The 44-year-old did acknowledge that bus drivers heading to Green Park would need to change through several lanes to get to the right hand turning for the businesses park, but added: "I maintain that if they build these things they should bloody well use them!"
However, a spokesman for Reading Buses explained why not all routes that head along the A33 would use the lane.
He said: "A number of different greenwave routes and destinations use this stretch of road and some won't use the bus lane as it doesn't serve every single permutation.
"It is at its most useful however when traffic is queued back from the Bennet Road gyratory lights which is generally between 7.30am to 9am and 4.30 to 6pm on weekdays.
"At the moment we are aware of a small phasing fault with the traffic lights on the bus lane section between Bennet Road and Tesco roundabout towards Mereoak where it is often quicker for buses to pull out of the lane to avoid being held up by the traffic lights.
"This has been raised with the council who we understand are working on a fix."
A spokesman for Reading Borough Council added: "The stretch of bus lane outside Kennet Island is predominantly intended for buses travelling to Mereoak Park and Ride, rather than Green Park, therefore not all buses along the A33 will use this bus lane.
"Use of the Greenwave bus services is increasing at an annual rate of 11 per cent and is predicted to be in the region of 1,050,000 this year.
"The introduction of the new bus lanes from Kennet Island to Imperial Way has seen lost mileage on Greenwave bus services fall to its lowest level for years and the punctuality of afternoon peak buses to Mereoak Park and Ride has radically improved, allowing for the introduction of an improved afternoon peak bus service in April.
"The South Reading MRT is made up of a series of bus priority measures to be implemented as and when funding becomes available. Future phases will include improvements for buses heading towards Green Park at this location, including upgrading the traffic lights on the Bennet Road gyratory to improve the flow of traffic through the junction.
"While the A33 is already busy, major new housing developments planned for the edge of Reading mean congestion on the A33 is forecast to increase. This scheme is being implemented now to help manage future demand."
Rules B&Q, Homebase, Wilko, Wickes and Home Bargains customers must follow as supermarkets enforce mask wearing
UK & World NewsIt comes as five supermarkets announced earlier this week that they would refuse entry to customers who do not wear a face mask, without a valid exemption