Roundabout is to blame, not bus lane

Julie Gilbert • Published 12 May 2010 14:00

A long-awaited review of a congestion causing £25,000 bus lane has concluded it is to stay in place.

The report blames Kilbowie roundabout for the bottleneck issues, not the lane which runs between it and the Hardgate roundabout.

The independent review carried out on behalf of West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC) says assessments of how to improve Kilbowie roundabout are ongoing.

Drivers, however, insist the congestion on that section of Kilbowie Road is caused by the bus lane because they only began when the lane was installed in October 2008.

They say it was caused by the narrowing of lanes there.

One disgruntled driver said: "They haven't asked the drivers about it or anyone that's been affected.

"I have to go out in that traffic in the mornings when I'm going to work and it's awful.

"And my little girl is at Goldenhill Primary - it is a big issue for the parents there having so much traffic on the road near the school.

"It's as if they don't want to admit it was a bad idea when they spent a lot of money putting it in."

Clydebank MSP Des McNulty says the bus lane should be taken away until congestion problems are sorted - regardless of whether the problems are caused by the bus lane or the roundabout.

A spokeswoman for WDC said: ""The bus lane has not reduced the previous road capacity between the two roundabouts, although at the approach to Kilbowie roundabout, the area for choosing the correct lane is shorter than previously by about 15m or so, and has therefore reduced vehicle stacking space.

"Again, this is a junction issue and not a bus lane one. We are however currently considering opportunities to provide additional space on the approach to the roundabout.

"An extensive study is currently ongoing into possible short and longer term ways of improving traffic flows on and around Kilbowie roundabout."

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 12 May 10

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