The following media release has been received from the Labour Party following yesterdays incident in Northbrook Street, when a 15 year old teenager was injured:

The Labour Party have been asking questions regarding pedestrian area speed limits since April of this year. The issue came to light when the party were holding weekly election stalls in Northbrook Street, and the number of buses speeding resulted in members of the Labour Party standing in the road to slow down speeding buses. On numerous occasions, the issue was raised with town centre police officer, Newbury Town Council and West Berkshire District Council, with the response being that nothing could be done unless a bus was clocked speeding. The police officers in question assured the Labour Party that beat officers would continue to monitor the speed of buses in Newbury Town Centre.

Labour Party spokesman has called for an immediate reduction in the speed limit until full town centre pedestrianisation begins in October. "The situation is obviously not a priority for either council or the police, as although buses are requested to observe a 5mph speed limit through the Market Place on market day, nothing has been done to address the behaviour of what is a small number of disrespectful bus drivers. This issue needs to be addressed now, we cannot afford to have another incident like this as somebody may end up being seriously injured or worse."

The buses will soon be banned, so there's a solution already to be implemented.  One incident in 10 odd years ain't too bad.

Quoted from Greenham Common

The buses will soon be banned, so there's a solution already to be implemented.  One incident in 10 odd years ain't too bad.

There has been at least one other, involving a lady and a bus on the corner of Mansion House Street and Bridge Street. Still a good record.

The Labour Party Spokesman needs to be careful about trying to score political points on the back of an injured member of the public. First concern should be the welfare of the individual. As has been stated the buses will be moving from Nothbrook Street when Parkway opens which removes the hazard.

So what you are saying is that we should do nothing and hope for the best?

Quoted from richard.garvie

So what you are saying is that we should do nothing and hope for the best?

What do you suggest?

Perhaps like rising bollards, (for mistaken car drivers) ,an electronic device to slow buses to walking pace.

Or, if that is impossible a chap like Michael Douglas with a shotgun riding behind the driver.
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Quoted from richard.garvie

So what you are saying is that we should do nothing and hope for the best?

I am saying that the solution has already been agreed - moving the buses out of Northbrook Street. We could spend time, money and effort to enforce the 5mph speed limit for the next 4 months but I would think there are roads with much worse accident records to focus on - and these roads will not be traffic free in a few months time.

Quoted from richard.garvie

So what you are saying is that we should do nothing and hope for the best?

Re-routing buses so they'll be none that travel down Northbrook Street isn't exactly doing nothing, is it?

Or we could simply ask the drivers to slow down to 10 - 15mph , and whilst we are at it maybe ask the drivers to stop beeping at people or riding up to the heels of pedestrians. It's only a very small minority, but some of the drivers are simply disrespectful.

Quoted from user23.3

Re-routing buses so they'll be none that travel down Northbrook Street isn't exactly doing nothing, is it?

That will happen in October.

Quoted from richard.garvie

That will happen in October.

Well there's the solution then.

Strange that this issue is only a priority after someone was bumped into.

Look back through the threads, it's been mention on both forums prior to the local elections!!!

Quoted from richard.garvie

So what you are saying is that we should do nothing and hope for the best?

You're keen on getting unpaid voluteers to do things - why not buy a couple of red flags and advertise for volunteers to walk in front of the buses with them.