Bere woman takes ‘floating bus stop’ campaign to No 10

A woman campaigning against a potentially ‘dangerous’ bus stop design which risks pedestrians being hit by cyclists, has taken the issue to the Prime Minister with her visually impaired friend.

Katie McCarthy, of Bere Alston is campaigning against the combined cycle lane/bus stop crossings, including one already causing concern on Rifford Road in Exeter and another proposed for Woolwell in Plymouth.

Katie visited No 10 with fellow lobbyist and friend Marilyn Lant and her guide dog Milly to hand in a national 600-name petition to Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

They are calling for so-called ‘floating’ bus stops to be replaced by safer options which do not make disabled people with limited sight, mobility and hearing vulnerable to being hit by cyclists.

The newly introduced so-called floating bus stops require bus passengers to cross cycle lanes to get on and off buses.

The design is supposed to prevent cyclists ignoring red lights, slowing them down and stopping them overtaking buses, which can cause accidents.

Paradoxically, the aim of a floating bus stop is to protect cyclists from traffic, letting them ride straight through on a cycle lane without needing to stop behind a stopping bus.

However, research shows many cyclists do not stop for bus passengers crossing the cycle lanes on zebra crossings, endangering them and pedestrians.

Katie, Marilyn and disability groups argue the combined bus stops and crossings are dangerous.

“Blind and partially sighted people cannot easily hear or see oncoming cyclists, leading to fear, stress, and instances where pedestrians are clipped, shouted at, or hit,” she said. “It affects their confidence and independence, stopping them going out.”

She added: “Although this is a local development, it’s part of a national issue affecting blind and partially-sighted people, disabled passengers and others who rely on safe, accessible public transport. I supported Marilyn in taking her petition to Downing Street because I feel strongly it needs greater public awareness and scrutiny.

“Despite national concerns being raised, floating bus stops are still being built, including at Woolwell. It raises serious questions about why these designs are continuing to be installed when their safety and accessibility are already being challenged.”

Katie, who gets buses to Plymouth, is being supported by Torridge and Tavistock MP Sir Geoffrey Cox. whose spokesman said: “Sir Geoffrey shares your concerns on floating bus stops. The Conservatives’ election pledge would strip councils of funding for the controversial stops, where pedestrians have to ‘run the gauntlet’ by crossing a cycle lane to reach a bus.

“Please be assured Sir Geoffrey will continue to press local authorities on this matter.”

Richard Holden, the shadow transport secretary, said: “Anyone who has watched a blind passenger with a guide dog try to cross a stream of bikes to reach a bus shelter knows these designs should never have left the drawing board.”

A gofundme petition raised by anti-floating bus stop campaigners is at this link: https://tinyurl.com/478575ye