Forum Topic

Jeremy Vine's regal route

Interesting to see a video that Jeremy Vine posted on Twitter showing his cycle home (direction Hammersmith to Chiswick) last night.A couple of observations: he was mainly cycling along bus lanes which have been given over to cyclists. Silly me I used the plural, his video did not show another cyclist on his whole journey whilst all the buses (in the old days we called it public transport) were jammed in the grid lock.Still if Saint Jeremy can have his own personal passage through London traffic then that puts him one up on Her Majesty.Sorry I don't have the skill to publish a link to the video, but hopefully someone can, as it really does show the absolute madness of the current road changes.For the few (very) and not the many (most).

David Millar ● 2184d59 Comments

click here

Julian Pavey ● 2184d

https://twitter.com/theJeremyVine/status/1324080674626850816?s=20

Julian Pavey ● 2184d

https://twitter.com/theJeremyVine/status/1324080674626850816?s=20

Julian Pavey ● 2184d

Thanks Julian, that's it!!!!!!!!!

David Millar ● 2184d

I didn't realise it was a whole lane given over to bicycles until I saw it.it's a bit much isn't it considering buses carry far more people and will be stuck in traffic?

Basil Finnis ● 2184d

'buses carry far more people and will be stuck in traffic'Translation: 'buses carry far more people and will be stuck behind drivers'

Ken Munn ● 2184d

Indeed Ken, drivers of ambulances, police cars, taxis, delivery vehicles, lorries, construction traffic, tradespeople, blue badge holders. The list goes on.

Paul Green ● 2184d

What a silly thing to say! They'll still be stuck in traffic while a whole lane given over to bicycles.I'm not really into the car/bicycle war on here but some of the cyclist's comments are as blinkered and arrogant as the car lobby.

Basil Finnis ● 2184d

It’s the sort of madness the democrats in the US would do.

c james ● 2184d

Shocking traffic tonight in Hammersmith. A bad crash in Shepherds Bush to blame. Everyone angry. Thank goodness they've created a safe space for cycling or my route would be extremely dangerous.
@LBHF @LBofHounslow @CllrSteveCurran @willnorman @HounslowCycling pic.twitter.com/ZKu32s7MzA— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) November 4, 2020

Andrew OSullivan ● 2184d

just watched the video which must have been taken around 4-4.45(light just fading) which is the start of the rush hour and interestingly not another bike in sight for the 1 1/2 mile  covered great! I guess we will be seeing firemen cycling along the cycle lanes with buckets and wooden ladders tied to their backs.

James Smith-Jones ● 2184d

I think Jeremy Vine should probably be careful. Some of his observations  in the video and his comments in subsequent replies would appear to be in danger of costing him his job.The BBC's new DG Tim Davie has only recently warned staff (including contracted "talent" like Mr Vine) not to "express a personal opinion on matters of public policy, politics, or controversial subjects".According to the BBC News website:'The new guidance on social media will apply to staff whether they are using online platforms professionally or personally'.I think we could safely say that LTN, CW9, Streetspace and cycle proselytising are all what might be called "controversial" subjects in his home manor.

Bruce Hammal ● 2184d

DG Tim Davie seems to be well up on the job. Unfortunately those  lefties are trying to get him out by not playing ball

Julian Pavey ● 2184d

Lefties? I think Jezza will be in for a pay rise after this because, after all, he is endorsing government policy.The lack of empathy may raise concern for his soul but not his job.

Paul Corcoran ● 2184d

As an ex BBC staffer myself I have to say I never found it a hotbed of revolutionary socialism - mostly we just wanted to get to the bar.Anyway that was a very long time ago. Tim Davie does talk a good fight though, and I genuinely think JV should probably err on the side of caution.Other select quotes from the new DG on staff and social media:"He said that in some cases, staff would be asked to suspend their Twitter accounts if they wanted to continue working for the BBC."""If you want to be an opinionated columnist or a partisan campaigner on social media then that is a valid choice, but you should not be working at the BBC,"

Bruce Hammal ● 2184d

Think he has got enough on his plate with Gary Lineker and alike

Julian Pavey ● 2184d

I must confess I often use the cycle lane when I go to Hammersmith.I find it safer for social distancing as I can walk all the way without anybody cycling past.

Adrian Irving ● 2184d

Jeremy obviously doesn't give a sod about the poor, the disabled and the elderly who travel by bus. Bikes plus the weatherproof gear can be expensive.

Chris Dakers ● 2184d

Bus users are the really big losers from CW9 in its current configuration - and of course anywhere else where bus lanes have  been sacrified for supposedly safer cycling.  Quite apart from the numerical imbalance in the tally of winners and losers, I suspect a very high proportion of bus passengers are elderly and often in some way disabled or disadvantaged.

Bruce Hammal ● 2184d

Disagree. Did a bus journey from Hammersmith to Turnham Green Church recently. Because the bus cannot be overtaken when at a stop, it means it has clear space ahead when resuming and is not slowly moved further back down the queue each time it stops.

Ken Munn ● 2184d

That may well be true, but it's equally true that you will get traffic that builds up further ahead of where the bus is (that gets there from side roads etc.).So although the bus won't get stuck behind any traffic that is already behind it, it won't be able to undertake any build up of traffic that is in front of it.Which of these factors will be greater in slowing/speeding the passage of the bus is a matter of debate. For the best of both worlds (for bus passengers) they should have bus lanes and then bring the bus stops further out into the carriageway so that no other cars/lorries/vans etc can pass while the bus is stopped!

Andrew Jones ● 2184d

Yes but that simply doesn't work in really heavy traffic. I used to routinely  take the E3 or 272 when I had to get to points east of the High Road but not any more. I wouldn't have the faintest idea how long to allow for the journey when I have to be somewhere by a specific time. I tend to cycle now (dodgy knee permitting) but I go nowhere near CW9.

Bruce Hammal ● 2184d

That was in reply to Ken's post not Andrew's.

Bruce Hammal ● 2184d

Funnily enough, I cycled along that route, around the same time that Jeremy did. I had about 3 or 4 other cyclists around me (we all grouped at Chiswick Lane - which Eastbound continues to be a bad junction for cyclists).I've always thought CHR was pretty easy for cycling - there's a bus lane all the way from Latymer and the road is broad enough for cyclists to pass buses should they pull in ahead of you.Since the bike lane came in, it's been horrendous. Perhaps things will change and traffic will magically disperse once alternative routes are found, but the current state of affairs is actually worse for cycling (until the lanes are open) as we're forced into the congested single lane, jockeying with frustrated drivers who blame us for their extended commute home.There's no way an emergency vehicle could proceed in a timely manner down CHR as things stand - there's rarely enough space for both lanes to pull aside to let vehicles down the middle. I saw the HRM was stuck today in Chiswick, and that was with some of the best trained outriders in the Met guiding a speedy way through!

John Hannon ● 2184d

Let’s be fair about this, no less than two old retired BBC Bangers, neither road worthy, both with failed MOTs, blew gaskets on the same day, and one even lost his big end, again. You’d expect a nasty blockage after that.

Russell Pearson ● 2184d

I take my animals to vets outside Chiswick some of which were already registered with them, and am going to dentists out of Chiswick.  I get cabs to both - the vet for obvious reasons and the dentist as I won't take public transport at the moment. Cabs are avoiding the High Road but it does mean going all round the houses and takes much longer.  I try to time my appointments to avoid busy times but it's not always possible.  If you don't turn up on time you run the risk of not being seen, having to rebook for a long way ahead, and with the dentist, fined.

Claire Moran ● 2184d

Doesn’t Jeremy Vine work for Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited rather than the BBC.One thing I don’t like about Chiswick, is that it has to many TV presenters and newspaper reporters living here, who can easily contact the relevant people in the council, where we cannot as they do not bother to reply to us.

Bernard Allen ● 2183d

Ken Munn explainedquote: Did a bus journey from Hammersmith to Turnham Green Church recently. Because the bus cannot be overtaken #when at a stopunquote:the result being.... Consider any stretch of road say from A to B with say  5 bus stops. If we assume the bus stops at each one and spends 2 minutes there that's ten minutes its going to spend stationary between A and B. Which is ten minutes longer than a car would take for the same journey were it not stuck behind that bus.The longer the stretch of road and the more bus stops there are, the bigger potential there is for delay. michael adams..

Michael Adams ● 2183d

By far and away the highest number a deaths on London  roads has been motorcycles and still rising.Sometime back Khan promised to tackle the problem including ensuring that riders could use bus lanes throughout the capital.Nothing has been done and for every bus lane converted to cycle use only more motorcyclists will die.No one seems to understand this.

Adrian Irving ● 2183d

Didn't Dave Wetzel,have a similar Idea about Public transport.Regarding the Bus network, wasn't the Idea to Build out pavments at Bus stops, so when the bus stops it holds up the traffic behind it.So when it finally pulls away, it does so into a clear road ahead.My opinion at the time, was to say when you have multiple bus routes on one road, surly this will just back up the whole road at busy times, as one bus stops and holds up the traffic, the bus at the stop behind pulls away into a congested road, which has a knock on effect along the road, and increase vehicle congestion, which seems to happening today.   

Bernard Allen ● 2183d

From what I have seen of the changes, cyclists just don't want to be segregated and the roads were safer left as they were when everyone could more or less judge where to move to for safety.

Janice Evans ● 2183d

And so, theory meets practice. Logic says practice should prevail.

Bruce Hammal ● 2183d

Sure someone may have done so but to be sure I'd forward that to Grant Shapps!

Jennifer Selig ● 2183d

"they do not bother to reply to us."  Not true Bernard - our local Councillors do reply - don't know who you've been trying to contact - if it's a Labour Cabinet Member then yes you are almostly sure to get a stoney silence.

Jennifer Selig ● 2183d

"No one seems to understand this." ....and it seems, give a damn!

Adrian Irving ● 2183d

From what you have seen Janice, perhaps you could enlighten us on when things were as they were, where for instance children reaching school would move to for safety?

John Hall ● 2183d

Jennifer,Stop jumping in with two feet.I live in a different ward to you so my councilors are different set to yours.But its not them I have tried to contact.

Bernard Allen ● 2183d

Was referring to drivers and riders, do you think roads have improve with the changes and the fact no one wants to cycle in the lanes, or very few at least.

Janice Evans ● 2183d

I note Jeremy Vine blamed the traffic on the fatal accident in Shepherds Bush, as have many of the cyclists.  It seems that all supporters of these ridiculous changes are well versed in twisting the truth, and that's being kind. A bit like Ken Munn and his bus story.

Maggie Dodge ● 2183d

Sorry Bernard, I'll remove my 2 feet but I'm not a mind reader - assumed you lived in W4 - apologies as I think from previous posts you've indicated that you live in Brentford I think.

Jennifer Selig ● 2183d

You're a bit off beam there Maggie, I'm afraid was a driver caught up in that and it was the cause, although I wish there was safe infrastructure that meant I could have been cycling to get my daughter.

John Hall ● 2183d

I could have been clearer John. The traffic was very bad and there was an accident in Shepherds Bush, true.  However, the traffic has been insane pretty much all day every day thanks to road closures, change of bus lanes, wide cycling lanes being installed and  I think Jeremy was probably inferring that the traffic was just because of the accident. I think this because various cyclist have inferred it on various other sites.

Maggie Dodge ● 2183d

No apology needed Jennifer.I was born in Brentford and moved to Chiswick in the early Fifties.Just to give you a laugh, I found a bill of sale or receipt 8 years ago for 14'/6 (Fourteen Shillings and Sixpence) for the midwife to deliver me at my granddads house. Her name was Nancy Brown  So it looks as though that's how much I cost in those days.I must be worth more Now ;0)

Bernard Allen ● 2182d

I didn’t like him much before all all this safer cycling started. Maybe he will move back to Epsom, it’s got to be quieter there for cycling.

Bernard Allen ● 2182d

I've said before - there are some places where there simply isn't room on a road for segregated two way pedestrian, cycling, bus, emergency vehicle, delivery vehicle, taxi and motor vehicle traffic.  Trying to squeeze a pint into a half-pint pot just does not go!  Chiswick Hi Road is one such.

Jennifer Selig ● 2182d

The mantra of the sainted Jeremy and his ilk:Sermon on the Chiswick Cash Cow Mount. And Yea, though I walk through the Valley of Death (hitherto known as Chiswick High road ) I shall fear no evil, because mine is the kingdom, the powerful, the glorious Church of the Bike,  my life in Lycra is more pure and worthy than yours and I sayeth unto you, for although it is indeed easier to passthrough the eye of a needle than getting about Chiswick these days, Cast off your Cycle clips and Walk!  My way is the high way and if you don’t like it then verily you can – guess what – Get on your Bike.

Sarah Potter ● 2181d

St.Jeremy’s and his ilk’s mantra:Sermon on the Chiswick Cash Cow Mount. And Yea, though I walk through the Valley of Death (hitherto known as Chiswick High road ) I shall fear no evil, bc because mine is the kingdom, the powerful, the glorious Church of the Bike,  my life in Lycra is more pure and worthy than yours and I sayeth unto you, for although it is indeed easier to passthrough the eye of a needle than getting about Chiswick these days, Cast off your Cycle clips and Walk!  My way is the high way and if you don’t like it then verily you can – guess what – Get on your Bike.

Sarah Potter ● 2181d

SarahGreat work 👏👏👏

Loraine Pemberton ● 2181d

Yes Sarah very apt, especially on Remembrance Sunday. What sacrifices can you think of that makes a better future for generations to come?

John Hall ● 2181d

Some people won't sacrifice anything for anybody,  It's me me me.  We are supposed to be in lockdown so you would expect only those who are going to school or who actually need to be out and about to be on the roads.

Philippa Bond ● 2181d

Well apart from cyclists like Jeremy, crowing about it on social media.

Russell Pearson ● 2181d

What's the problem with that?  There will be more room for more people to move easily around keeping fit and causing less gridlock than if they were all in cars.  Why can't we work to make our roads safe enough for our children to cycle to school on?

Philippa Bond ● 2180d

We could start by teaching cyclist the rules of the road. How to be visible and cycle respectfully and safety.  Why is everybody else being given the job of making it safe to cycle when there are so many cyclists endangering themselves and others ?

Maggie Dodge ● 2179d

"It's me me me."This sounds an awful lot like evangelical cycle campaigners. Know of any?And I love the contrast with Maggie Dodge's comment:"Why is everybody else being given the job of making it safe to cycle when there are so many cyclists endangering themselves and others?"No truer words have been written.

David Lesniak ● 2179d

David, your logic does not stack up here. The daredevil-antisocial cyclists who run lights etc clearly do not feel the need for safe cycling provision, and there should be more enforcement here for sure. The point of providing safe cycle provision in out town, when it's finished, is for those who do not feel safe to be able to shift their mode of transport to a choice that's better for all given the health, pollution and climate issues we face. Those getting in a car to make a local journey do not have to consider if it will put their safety at risk. Those getting on a bike certainly do, which is why so many are discouraged. And that those chosing to take their cars (myself included) have to think a little more about the measures being put in place to discourage casual car use is surely a good thing?

John Hall ● 2179d

I don't think there is a person in Chiswick (dare I say London and beyond) who don't know the "point" of safe cycle provision.It's been shoved down our throats incessantly. I can support it as and when there is a scheme that benefits every single road user regardless of vehicle choice or sneakers.But Philippa is correct when she says it's "me, me, me, me" in general and I pointed out that seems to be the basic tone with cycling campaigners. Never is the knee-jerk reaction to assess the situation whatever it be, rather it is to attack anyone asking a question or leveling a criticism. Which gets us nicely to Maggie's point, we is it everyone else who is resonsible for one small group of behaviors? And please, John, you know full well there are plenty non-daredevil cyclists running riot on the pavement and in the streets.

David Lesniak ● 2179d

The CHR facility isn't open yet so there shouldn't really be any cyclists using it. Some are, of course, because for what are a few cones and signs blocking the way, except to ignore.

Peter Evans ● 2179d

Your point is well made. In south Chiswick (as we are now forced to call it) the many new traffic measures are being introduced in completely the wrong order. The measures that would stop the rat running from the A316 at source are only now being installed nearly four months after the road closures began. We will only know the real impact when all the measures are implemented and the pandemic has abated.

Cllr Sam Hearn ● 2178d

But once the pandemic has abated there'll presumably be no need for the Emergency Schemes.

Peter Evans ● 2178d