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Because of the rumour that Worcester might get 10 year old Mercedes Citaros, and use them on the 35, I've referred to the bus graph to see what the current allocation is; -- I had noticed that much newer StreetLites were often on it, but I was shocked to find that just 5 StreetLites provide the main daytime service Mon - Fri; -- I had it as more in my tiny mind !

One thing I've often wondered about is -
when I drive my car down Rainbow Hill towards Lowesmoor, there is usually a long line of parked cars on the left that is very difficult to "overtake", because of the opposing traffic coming UP the hill, so I wonder how bus drivers manage it ??

DD12 wrote: ↑

14:59 Friday 16th February 2018

Because of the rumour that Worcester might get 10 year old Mercedes Citaros, and use them on the 35, I've referred to the bus graph to see what the current allocation is; -- I had noticed that much newer StreetLites were often on it, but I was shocked to find that just 5 StreetLites provide the main daytime service Mon - Fri; -- I had it as more in my tiny mind !

One thing I've often wondered about is -
when I drive my car down Rainbow Hill towards Lowesmoor, there is usually a long line of parked cars on the left that is very difficult to "overtake", because of the opposing traffic coming UP the hill, so I wonder how bus drivers manage it ??

Lowesmoor itself is not a choice area to manoeuvre a 12 metre bus, not to mention the narrowed road by the pedestrian crossing adjacent to Rainbow Hill shops and the pinch-point under Brickfields Road railway bridge. Its also a tight squeeze coming into Angel street opposite McDonalds from St Nicholas Street - all roads seemingly never changed since 'horse and cart' days!

When I was a driver (many moons ago), parked cars on some of Warndon's roads presented quite a challenge too! Has that changed I wonder?

Nothing has changed - in fact it has got worse over the past few years. A couple of years ago the council decided to limit parking on Rainbow Hill, unfortunately they only did about 30 yards, so there is still parking towards the top of the hill. There is one van that has been parked there and as far as I can ascertain, has not moved since before Christmas! With regards to the previous question about how drivers cope, I simply drive past the parked vehicles and make cars coming up the hill move over, after all, when we drive up the hill, cars come down, so there must be enough room for a bus and a car to pass.
I agree with Tim that the narrow crossing by the Vauxhall is awkward, and the railway bridge by the Chequers is a nightmare, I have had several near misses there over the past few weeks.

Thanks Guys !

My guess is that the area around the Chequers and railway bridge needs re-modelling to include modern coordinated traffic lights that also give priority to buses, and --
the area around the Vauxhall Inn needs re-modelling with perhaps two crossings, but with the removal of the existing one with that awkward jutting -out kerb.

A glimmer of hope is that the council has just introduced a one-way system for a street in the area -- so, "you never know ......"

That route was much nicer (and quicker) when we had minibuses.

bmmoboy wrote: ↑

16:04 Friday 16th February 2018

With regards to the previous question about how drivers cope, I simply drive past the parked vehicles and make cars coming up the hill move over, after all, when we drive up the hill, cars come down, so there must be enough room for a bus and a car to pass.

Nice one. If in doubt flat out as I alway say.

There's a brief article on Worcester News this afternoon, "to say" there's a broken down bus stuck at the "Chequers" roundabout --

it doesn't show a bus in the photo, and doesn't say if it's one of First's

I had a text message from one of our drivers...

That bloke outside the pub's enjoying himself - not only has he got off work early and gone for a few pints, First have laid on entertainment