Story of a Bristol VR

Rob Sly writes "Daniel Stazicker's request for the identity of this VR, I attach a photo of it taken last year when under preparation for delivery to a customer which subsequently fell through. The bus is former United Counties 842 (OBD842P) and was the pilot LHD conversion at Munden. Its last UK operator was Classic Coaches of High Wycombe where it ran from 1997 to 1999 in Circle Line's green livery. Photo courtesy Allan Macfarlane."


Picture by Allan Macfarlane via Rob Sly.

Cyclists - a reply to my question

In a recent issue I commented on the behaviour of cyclists in Oxford, especially their lack of adherence to such simple matters of red traffic lights. Also my thoughts on the lack of lights in the dark hours. Reading a recent article in The Oxford Times, where the police had a blitz on cyclists without lights, it seems some of these people do  not think lights are needed if cycling in well lit city roads!!

Robin Stevens responded to my piece saying "I have to say that I am shocked by your comments about cyclists. You appear to suggest that cyclists are obliged by law to use cycle facilities. This is not the case - see the Highway Code sections
61-63[1] - and something of which all drivers should be aware, especially those who drive for a living in a town with a high proportion of cyclists."

That is indeed interesting and something I have to admit to not being aware of. I would however say in my defence that I did not intend to suggest that they MUST use cycle track s where provided , only that it might be safer to do so. Indeed the whole section of London Road, Headington, which prompted my comments is presently full of road works and the cycle tracks are as such closed!

Robin goes on to say "There are unfortunately many reasons why cyclists may wish not to use such facilities.  In general they are poorly maintained compared to the road, frequently narrow and obstructed by ill-placed hazards, and are often difficult to join or leave.  Pedestrians are prone to stray onto the designated "cycle" portion of such paths.  Vehicles entering or leaving properties adjacent to a pavement frequently fail to spot cyclists on such paths.  Priority is lost at every side-road.  In short many such paths are far *less* safe than remaining on the road, and a prudent, considerate cyclist cannot sustain anything like the speed possible on the road owing to the numerous hazards."

Again Robin's comments are quite reasonable and worthy of the attention by city planners.

"Personally, I cycle through Headington infrequently, but I have in the past experienced severe harassment from a coach driver owing to my choosing to remain on the road.  The driver in question chose to intimidate me by driving *extremely* close behind me, sounding the horn several times.  I judged that any attempt to stop or divert onto the pavement path was too dangerous to attempt and that my only safe option was to continue.  Eventually there was room for the driver to overtake, which he chose to do with minimal clearance between me and the side of his vehicle.  Many people would consider such tactics dangerous driving and inexcusable from a so-called "professional" driver."

What an awful type of behaviour by a professional driver, indeed inexcusable.

"Also, you refer to "the roads [cyclists] neither pay for or contribute to".  I am, depending upon circumstances, a cyclist, pedestrian, bus/train/taxi user, or driver; whichever means of transport I use I endeavour to do so within the law and with consideration to other road users.  The vast majority of taxes in this country are not "hypothecated" but go into a general pot for expenditure as required. As someone earning considerably above median income I am contributing considerable sums through income tax, council tax, VAT and other taxes even if I were *never* to get into a motor vehicle.

I will fully admit that the actions of many cyclists (as well as many other road users) around Oxford leave an awful lot to be desired, and perhaps they annoy you even more than they annoy me.  However this is no reason to misrepresent the position, particularly not in a public forum. I hope that you will be retracting these statements in the next edition if not before;  if not then I regret that you will be losing at least one regular reader.

Many councils, Oxford included, appear to take the attitude that they must be *seen* to do something for the benefit of cyclists, even if those actions are of little or no benefit.  One site is devoted to some of the worst examples:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pete.meg/wcc/facility-of-the-month/

Simply painting a few lines on roads or pavements does not necessarily create safe cycling facilities.  Indeed many cycle lanes are barely wider than the bikes using them, and then for added excitement they may contain such hazards as gutters, wet leaves, loose gravel, potholes, drains, manhole covers, temporary roadsigns, crosswinds and the buffetting caused by passing vehicles (especially buses and lorries). Such lanes often seem to encourage motorists to pass far closer than
they would on the same road without a cycle lane.

I'd much prefer to see money and effort expended on education and enforcement of the law.  In a city with a high proportion of student cyclists, it would be great for a group of people to go around the universities each autumn and actually explain to them what the law requires, and why certain things may not be illegal but are nonetheless dangerous.  Groups such as Cyclox exist but seem to devote their efforts to such matters as campaigning for cycling to be permitted all day on
Queen Street or for cyclists to be allowed to jump red lights "when it's safe to do so" - I feel such actions are liable only to enforce the common perception that "all cyclists are reckless and break the law"."

I would note that a greater proportion of cyclists are now using lights but when loading passengers at St Clements last Sunday, a cyclist came along the pavement scattering intending passengers AND he was on his mobile phone. When a comment was made the inevitable middle finger was put up to all concerned.

I do hope that by publishing Robin's comments and response he will not cease to read this page which I personally put a lot of effort into and which is supported by very many people. Indeed monthly hits are now reaching 75,000 which maybe some indication of the value and content of this page. My thanks to robin for taking time to air his feelings.

Revised bus timetables in Milton Keynes by Harold Bradwell

New Milton Keynes Timetable with the major changes being: 

MK Metro 1B MK - Olney - Northampton formerly hourly on weekdays. Only 1 weekday return bus 1B between Stoke Goldington and Central Milton Keynes remains. The section between Northampton and Olney won on a Northamptonshire contract by Stagecoach as service 36. Between Olney and CMK it is part of MK Metro commercial service 1. 

MK Metro 6 - Bletchley - Stantonbury. Hourly service by MK Metro runs as before through the whole route, but half-hourly only between CMK and Stantonbury. The "missing" half hourly between CMK and Bletchley is now operated by Z&S under contract to MK Council. 

MK Metro 7A Wolverton - Great Linford - CMK extended to Bletchley over the 9 route and now runs every 20 minutes throughout weekdays, 30 minutes on Saturdays. The 7 is also rdduced to 30 minutes on Saturdays 

Service 9 is replaced by extension of 7A as above 

MK Metro 14 new peak direct buses between Stony Stratford and CMK 

Vale Travel 17A CMK Cranfield direct is now operated by Z&S (17 always has been) and 17B CMK - Newport Pagnell - Cranfield is now operated by Vale Travel of Aylesbury. 

Red Rose Travel 18 CMK - Woughton - Bletchley (peaks extended to Woburn Sands) some additional peak journeys, contract won by Red Rose Travel (previously MK Metro) 

Grant Palmer 20 some contract peak part journeys between CMK and Westcroft now operated by Grant Palmer, but the main service is still MK Metro commercial. 

Z&S 25 is a completely new contract service Newport Pagnell - Kingston - Open University - Hospital - Bletchley hourly Monday - Saturday. The publicity states that this was won by Z&S, but MK Metro/Arriva buses have been operating it this week. 

Arriva 26 New peak fast journeys between Tattenhoe - Furzton and CMK operated by Arriva (to supplement slower route 6)

29 Section Bletchley - Hospital - CMK won under contract on Saturdays only by Z&S. Rest of route and Mon - Fri still operated by MK Metro. 

Z&S 30/31 the peak and school contract route now won by Z&S from MK Metro. 

MK Metro 33 CMK - Hanslope - Northampton. In September one of your correspondents said this had been won by Z&S but this only applies to the infrequent Sunday short workings CMK - Hanslope. The weekday service is still run by MK Metro with additional fast peak journeys Wolverton - CMK. 

Stagecoach 36 New Stagecoach service Northampton - Olney as under 1B above. 

On a Mission coaches 44/44A This is real competition from 9th November! On a Mission coaches will run half-hourly Lakes Estate - Bletchley - West Bletchley - Fishermead - CMK in competition to parts of 3 MK Metro routes. There's even talk of a £1 flat fare but this is, I think, only a rumour. 

 MK Metro X9 New express Lavendon - Olney - CMK service running approximately two-hourly Mondays - Fridays operated under contract by MK Metro. 

Grant Palmer X34 new service operated by Grant Palmer. CMK - Ampthill - Flitwick approximately hourly Mondays - Fridays. 

The Aylesbury independents have done quite well out of this.

John Hammond has supplied quite a few photos of the current kaleidoscope of buses in this City. This certainly gives an idea as to the variety and colourful kaleidoscope of buses in the city of Milton Keynes.

         

           

More on Malta from Marcus Lapthorn

Marcus Lapthorn writes "It is amazing to think that some of the buses still in active service in Malta are over 70 years old! However, sadly these normal control buses are fast disappearing and I could only find these three in service when I visited Valetta in October 2009. Others may still be used but were not around on this particular day."

 
Pic: 929& 933 are of FBY661 which has an ex British Army lorry - Dodge chassis dating back to 1938. The driver today is about the same age I suspect! The bus body is locally built Brincat B34F. 

Pic 934: EBY636 Ford V8 with locally built Gasan B40F body. Note the Leyland turbo and Dodge details however! 

Pic 947: The immaculate EBY537 Ford ET7 with locally built Zammit B32F body.

Cambridge Busway update 

Gary Seamarks wrote that he believes "we have a start date for Cambridge Busway of Sun 29/11, if you read N&P for last week, major changes are in for the Huntingdon-Cambridge routes and some city routes. If this is correct its played where I wanted it as am off over that weekend till Weds evening so will hopefully get over there on either Mon or Weds, will pass photos over to you as soon as I can. Am away 12/11 to 27/11 so will be quiet till then. "

Midland Red 50th anniversary run

Last weekend National Express supported the 50^th anniversary of the first UK motorway coach service, via the M1, between Birmingham, Digbeth and London, Victoria. 

 

Vintage Midland Red coaches and a brand new National Express coach celebrated this event by operating an anniversary run between Birmingham and London on Saturday 31 October (departing 09:00hrs).

 

A picture has been provided by Pete Hancock.
 

COMS in 1975 by David Harrison