Residents ask for change to 2nd bus lane

Highways chiefs said last week they will alter the London Road lane on the steep downhill stretch of Bread and Cheese Hill, Benfleet.

Residents are now focusing their complaints on the lane on the uphill stretch of London Road, Benfleet, between the junctions with Manor Road and the Kents Hills Road.

They claim it is dangerous and unnecessary as most drivers do not understand traffic restrictions on its route.

A series of signs by the bus lane explain cars are only banned from driving there between 7.30am and 9.30am and 4.30pm and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday.

But residents claim the vast majority of drivers are either taking no notice of the signs or do not understand them, as cars hardly ever use the lane.

They also think the bus lane is pointless, as it ends abruptly before the Kents Hill Road junction’s traffic lights, meaning vehicles suddenly have to pull into the inside lane.

Dave Lovett, managing director of nearby Benfleet Glass, called on the council either to install clearer signs or scrap the bus lane altogether.

He said: “It’s a complete waste of time as the lane only runs for a few hundred yards, then the buses have to pull into the main traffic. I never see any cars using it.”

John Wheeler, 56, of London Road, added: “Drivers don’t understand when they are, or aren’t, allowed to go down there.

“It’s not like in London where people are used to bus lanes. We don’t get them around here much.”

A county council spokeswoman admitted most car drivers did not understand the restrictions at the moment, but thought this would change in future.

She said: “Drivers are not aware of the restrictions on the bus lanes and many are not using the lane.

“All signs are appropriate and positioned correctly.

“This would appear to be a driver awareness issue, rather than an issue with the design or construction of the scheme.

“As this becomes more widely understood the usage should improve.”