News - Official opening for Merrie Harrier bus lane

29th September 2010

The Vale of Glamorgan's first bus lane, situated on cardiff Road between Eastbrook and the Merrie Harrier, was declared officially open on Tuesday 21 September by Vale Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation, Cllr Jeffrey James.

 Cllr James was joined in cutting a ribbon to mark the occasion by colleagues from the Vale of Glamorgan Council as well as representatives from Cardiff Bus, Morrison Construction, sustainable transport charity Sustrans and EST Buses, as well as the Chairman of Llandough Community Council, Cllr Hanley, and his consort.

The bus lane will be fully open to buses, coaches, Hackney carriages and cyclists from Wednesday 22 September. Speaking to the guests, Cllr James, who is also the Chair of the South East Wales Transport Alliance (Sewta), said:

“I am delighted that after a number of years promoting this scheme that work is completed. The scheme provides a bus lane and cycle and pedestrian facilities that will help to encourage more people to try either public transport, walking or cycling, which will assist in reducing congestion and promote healthier travel.

“In my role as Chair I am also very proud that the Vale of Glamorgan Council was the first to benefit financially from Sewta’s Regional Transport Plan Capital Funding.”

The scheme involved the construction of a three metre wide bus lane plus a shared cycle/ footway. Works were completed on time by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and the main local contractor Morrison Construction Ltd. It has been promoted by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and the South East Wales Transport Alliance (Sewta) and is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Associate Community Director at Cardiff Bus, Peter Heath, said: “We’re looking forward to using the bus lane, which will not only give time savings on routes to Cardiff but also make services more reliable by reducing delays at this junction.”

Phil Jenkins, business development manager at Morrison Construction, said: “This is sure to be a very successful project and we’re delighted to have had the opportunity to demonstrate our professional approach to such a worthwhile cause.”

Lee Waters, national director at Sustrans Cymru, was keen to promote the benefits of public transport. He said: “To encourage people to leave their cars at home it’s important to show that alternatives can be more convenient. As people sit stuck in traffic on their drive into work and see a bus speed by, I hope they’ll be tempted to give public transport a go.

“If each household left their car at home just once a week, we could reduce the number of cars on the road by 10 per cent.”

Enforcement of the bus lane is being undertaken by Cardiff Council as part of a regional working partnership arrangement.