End of the road for M4 bus lane. 
Surely it would be cheaper to replace existing signs with new ones advising the lane is suspended and then make more permanent changes after the Olympics.
The first move towards the M4 Bus Lane's demise will begin on November 8, 2010 when an 'Experimental Order' under Section 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 will be made suspending the M4 Bus Lane from December 24 2010 for 18 months.
Traffic flows will be monitored during the period of the order.
A Whitehall source said: 'Current signs and road markings for the bus lane will be removed and a revised road layout introduced.
'Existing speed limits will remain on safety grounds, as will the red surfacing.'
But he added:'The business case shows time savings for all current non-bus lane users during the morning peak period, with more savings during the evening peak. There is no significant change in journey times for existing bus lane users. There is believed to be no impact, either way, on safety.'
The 'Experimental Order' will expire in June 2012 before Olympic Delivery Agency(ODA) begins its traffic management measures on the stretch of the M4 from Junction 1 to 7 which has been designated as part of the Olympic Route Network as a VIP ‘Games Lane’.
Ministers expect sufficient data should be collected during 2011 to support the permanent removal of the bus lane , which will be done via a Revocation Order.
The cost of initial removal of the M4 bus lane is estimated at £409,000.
However this figure excludes the cost of its reinstatement for the period of the London Olympics and of any subsequent modifications once the removal be made permanent.
Traffic flows will be monitored during the period of the order.
A Whitehall source said: 'Current signs and road markings for the bus lane will be removed and a revised road layout introduced.
'Existing speed limits will remain on safety grounds, as will the red surfacing.'
But he added:'The business case shows time savings for all current non-bus lane users during the morning peak period, with more savings during the evening peak. There is no significant change in journey times for existing bus lane users. There is believed to be no impact, either way, on safety.'
The 'Experimental Order' will expire in June 2012 before Olympic Delivery Agency(ODA) begins its traffic management measures on the stretch of the M4 from Junction 1 to 7 which has been designated as part of the Olympic Route Network as a VIP ‘Games Lane’.
Ministers expect sufficient data should be collected during 2011 to support the permanent removal of the bus lane , which will be done via a Revocation Order.
The cost of initial removal of the M4 bus lane is estimated at £409,000.
However this figure excludes the cost of its reinstatement for the period of the London Olympics and of any subsequent modifications once the removal be made permanent.
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