Lane markings

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Wed 1 Jul 2009 19:45
Lane markings - BorisTheSpider
The scene:

There is a stretch of dual lane single carriage way around here, where the left lane is marked "no-car lane" this lane ends about one car length from a set of lights.
The left lane is labelled with a left arrow and the right lane is marked straight ahead. After the lights the left lane returns to a "no car lane".

The Question:
How much do these arrows really mean as I now been in countless buses and taxis that just stay in the left hand lane all the way down? What of the consequences of doing this on a m'bike if done with care, rather than changing lanes just before each set of lights?

Thanks in advance

Boris
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Wed 1 Jul 2009 21:30
Lane markings - Dwight Van Driver
Is the 'no car lane' before the lights supporting a cycle lane with signs at the side at intervals?

No mention of a bus lane?

dvd
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Thu 2 Jul 2009 02:48
Lane markings - BorisTheSpider
Nope just two lanes, one would be a bus lane anywhere else in the country apart from this county which likes the phase "no car", I would post a google earth link but its a bit too close to home.

Boris

Edited by BorisTheSpider on 02/07/2009 at 02:49

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Thu 2 Jul 2009 08:25
Lane markings - Dwight Van Driver
At the moment cannot find any reference on D of T bits I have to a No Car Lane marking other than it has been used up in Newcastle (Stanford St?) to protect cyclist and pedestrians.

dvd
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Thu 2 Jul 2009 09:41
Lane markings - jbif
reference on D of T bits I have to a No Car Lane marking other than it has been used up in Newcastle (Stanford St?) >>


www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/buses/bpf/buspriorityt...1

see lower half of above page.

"No-car lanes are a relatively new concept in the re-allocation of highway space. The concept which evolved from that of the bus lane is based on use of the lane by buses and some other vehicles, but the prevention of car use in the designated lane. These lanes have been introduced to Newcastle City Centre and it is hoped that the success can be repeated across the region. It is now proposed to designate the bus lanes on Durham Road as no-car lanes."

and

"Newcastle City Council has led the way in the implementation of no-car lanes. In Newcastle city centre there are many existing or planned no-car lanes, for example on Barras Bridge, New Bridge Street, Westgate Road, Sandyford Road, John Dobson Street, Barrack Road, Percy Street and Great North Road. "

www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/redroutes


Edited by jbif on 02/07/2009 at 09:43

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Thu 2 Jul 2009 12:46
Lane markings - doctorchris
This kind of lane marking, where the bus lane is discontinued only a few metres before a left turn, is prevalent throughout the country and is a real hazard.
Turning left in a passenger car becomes a lottery, especially where bus lane or "no car lane" users thunder through without much thought.
If a lot of traffic is backed up at the lights, changing into the left hand lane to turn left is a nightmare.
In the case that you mention, I would stay in the left hand lane on your motorcycle, maybe keeping as close to the centre of the road as possible to give you a safety zone for other vehicles moving into your lane. I doubt that anyone has ever been prosecuted for not obeying the arrows at such an ill-designed junction.
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Thu 2 Jul 2009 13:01
Lane markings - doctorchris
jbif's reference to the Durham Rd refers to the road that I live yards from in Sunderland.
The no car lanes cause a lot of congestion at commuter times and are used by buses, vans and particularly taxis and minicabs, often blasting along above the speed limit and making life a nightmare for pedestrians and house-owners living on this road.
Where the bus lanes cease, at junctions and lights, boy racers delight in trying to burn everyone off at the lights on the inside lane.
Eventually the whole scheme falls apart after 2-3 miles as the road becomes single carriageway and the buses get held up again.
As mentioned in the report, traffic has also transferred to other routes leaving Sunderland in a similar direction and these roads are heavily congested and run through areas with more housing and schools than the Durham Rd.
A shambles, in summary.
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Thu 2 Jul 2009 15:45
Lane markings - BorisTheSpider
I had a look in the Highway Code, it gives an example of lane markings but doesn't use the magic phrases of "SHOULD" and "MUST NOT",

Here?s a tiny URL of the junction for all those who have never heard of these lanes.
tinyurl.com/mte8cp

Cheers
Boris
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Thu 2 Jul 2009 21:56
Lane markings - Dwight Van Driver
Thanks jbfi and Borris

Educating myself on the procedure (TOrder) and what signs to be lawful.

dvd







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