Northcote vows action on 'barmy' proposals

Vows to Resist Bus Lane on Elevated Section of M4

Alexander Northcote, the Conservative’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Brentford & Isleworth has dismissed a proposal to extend the M4 bus lane to the elevated section of the motorway as “barmy”.

The proposals are under consideration as part of the new M4 Route Management Strategy, published by the Highways Agency. At this stage, the Highways Agency is not committed to taking any of the suggestions forward; but ideas include introducing road tolls between Junction 1, in Chiswick, through to Junctions 14 and 15. Government Ministers have already stated that they would not support tolls on the M4 making it unlikely that this plan would proceed..

An additional suggestion is for the extension of the highly controversial M4 bus lane onto the elevated section of the Motorway.

Mr Northcote said, “This proposal is plain barmy. Forcing all cars into just one lane on the elevated section will cause more congestion not less. I urge the Highways Agency to dismiss this as quickly as possible.

“Serious motoring organisations such as the RAC Foundation have voiced their concerns. As many as possible should tell the Highways Agency what they think of these dreadful suggestions, by logging onto their web site "

April 6, 2004