We need to put the brakes on bus stop move
Campaigners claim relocation changes are putting lives at risk
Rat running is a growing problem on Paisley roads close to where children play – campaigners have warned.
A decision to move a number of bus stops has caused a backlog in Neilston Road and one Paisley councillor has said these can be as long as 400 yards.
The move often means that, during rush hour, buses on opposite sides of the road stop side-by-side – making it a tight squeeze for other vehicles to pass.
Paisley Southeast Labour Councillor Eddie Devine said the situation was “absolutely mental” and described the council’s decision as “ill-advised”, as drivers now resort to speeding down backroads to beat traffic.
He said: “When I went up there about 5.15pm on Monday it was about 300 or 400 yards long.
“I was stopped at the Clachan Bar and it was all because of the lights and the buses stopping at the same time. “It was absolutely mental. “It’s causing folks to dive round up Braids Road and any road they can.”
Commuters often detour by turning onto Braids and Falside Road before returning to Neilston Road, causing unrest among residents in the area.
“People are not happy with the hold-ups and the cars are starting to use their streets as rat runs.
“Again, when you go up Braids Road it’s a busy street but Brodie Park is just up there and there’s a kids’ swing park up there and tennis courts.
“It’s an area frequented by children.
“The people in Braids Road want speed bumps or cushions to slow the traffic down.
“It’s been ill-advised to move the bus stops and it’s been a waste of money,” added Councillor Devine.
Shirley McLean, chairwoman of Glenburn Tenants and Residents Association, added: “Not only have you got two buses stopping sideby-side but you’ve got an accident waiting to happen at Aldi with traffic going in and out.
“The residents are certainly seeing an increase in the volume of traffic in Braids Road.
“We’ve actually got a swing park on one side and Brodie Park on the other, especially in this weather and because the schools have stopped, there could be a lot of children about.”
Both Councillor Devine and Ms McLean said there had been no public consultation carried out by the council regarding moving the bus stops, which would have allowed people to voice their concerns.
“I was not asked my opinion on it,” Councillor Devine added.
“They’ve done a whole load of these things from the bottom of Neilston Road and nobody was questioned on it.
“I was told that SPT and the council agreed it.”
Ms McLean said: “There was no consultation about the bus stops getting moved, it just happened.”
Renfrewshire Council has explained that the positioning of bus stops is a statutory duty of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport - with no opportunity for public consulation.
A joint statement from the council and SPT said: “The relocation of the stops on Neilston Road was part of a Renfrewshire Council grantfunded project, which Strathclyde SPT is supporting through its capital projects budget.
“SPT advises and assists with the relocation of the bus stops and there is no statutory requirement to consult on the positioning of bus stops.
“The adjustments help to speed up journey times and provide a better service, in turn ensuring services remain economically viable.
“The programme has also invested in upgrades to bus shelters and has built high access kerbs to help people get on and off the bus more easily.
“The bus stop on the northbound side of Neilston Road, near to the traffic signals at Lochfield Road, had been causing traffic queues to form and the repositioning of the bus stop further north should reduce any delays.
“We are committed to road safety and are actively looking at traffic calming measures on Braids Road.”
You’ve got an accident waiting to happen... there was no consultation, it just happened Shirley McLean