Shrewsbury train station bus stop suspended over safety concerns

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

[Image from here is not available to guests]
The BBC found the bus stop waiting area was smaller than guidance

Buses will not be stopping at Shrewsbury train station's floating bus stop due to safety concerns, Arriva Midlands has said.

The stop outside the station has come under fire, after the BBC found it did not meet Department for Transport (DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)) guidance. The waiting area for bus passengers is narrower than the minimum size.

Shropshire Council previously told the BBC that it felt "let down" by the contractors that built the stop, and the designs said it was the minimum size required.

The authority has been contacted for comment. Floating bus stops have a cycle lane between the stop and the pavement.

In a statement, Arriva said it had carried out a safety review of the floating bus stop, and based on its findings, its services would no longer call at the stop. "We have informed the local authority and our customers," it said. "Our priority is always the safety of our passengers, colleagues and other road users and we'll continue working with partners to identify a safe and workable solution."

It is not yet clear where customers will have to get off to get to the station.

The contractor, WSP, previously said the island ended up smaller than planned because workers found unexpected underground utilities that forced a change in the design.

The BBC measured the buffer area between the road and cycle lane at about 1.1m (3.6ft) wide. However, government guidance suggests it should be between 1.5m and 2m, meaning it is nearly 40cm (15.7in) short of the minimum width.

Disability campaigners and wheelchair users criticised the project, claiming the island is dangerously small and not-fit-for-purpose.

The chairman of Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority has previously said lives and safety were at risk, because of the traffic issues caused by the gyratory. Fire engines also used the new cycle lane to get away from traffic jams in the area.

A cross-party review of the works is taking place.

The gyratory project, which began in June 2024, has cost about £3.8m. It has been almost entirely funded by a Levelling Up grant awarded to Shropshire Council by the previous Conservative government in 2023.

[ChrisB]

By the time that the driver has put the ramp out for a wheelchair, there won't be enough space for the wheelchair to line up to board the ramp without backing off into the cycle lane.

The contractors ought to have stopped & reported to the authority when finding the underground utilities....

[Chris from Nailsea]

An update, from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Emergency services to use Shrewsbury gyratory cycle lane

Shropshire Council said it had worked with the county's fire and rescue service to ensure emergency vehicles can easily pass through a controversial gyratory system.

It comes after firefighters told the BBC they were being unnecessarily delayed during emergency callouts, and traffic around Shrewsbury railway station at peak hours was slowing down response times while putting "immense" pressure on drivers.

The gyratory scheme involved turning two lanes of Castle Foregate into one lane so a cycle path and "floating" bus stop could be installed.

Now, the local authority has said the cycle lane is to be used as an emergency vehicle route when needed.

Alongside this, the council said it has been checking the position and clearance of the variable message sign to make sure it provides enough space for emergency vehicles.

Councillor Rob Wilson said: "I am pleased that by working together we have been able to identify a solution. Moving forwards this must be a key determining factor in Shropshire Council's decision making related to any future changes."

Simon Hardiman, chief fire officer for Shropshire, added: "A critical element of an emergency response is the ability to make safe and effective progress when travelling under blue light conditions through areas of high congestion. The use of the cycle lane for emergency vehicles has been assessed and is proving beneficial in reaching people when they need us the most."

More than 7,100 people have signed a petition calling for the road layout to be returned to how it was before construction began in 2023.