By Anne Delaney; The Quadrant, Raynes Park

The Wimbledon Guardian recently reported that , at the council meeting on July 11, Councillor Andrew Judge said his decision to keep the bus lane in Hartfield Road was based on a survey of buses produced by Transport for London.

He said this showed that morning rush hour journey time fell by 17 per cent after the installation of the bus lane.

However, we do not have rush hours at weekends, so why do we have bus lane restrictions between 7.00 - 10.00 am and 4.00 – 7.00 p.m. on Saturdays?

These photos, taken at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday, July 14, from the camera at the junction of Hartfield Road and Hartfield Crescent, show a distinct absence of vehicles, rushing or otherwise.

The unfortunate driver, on a road almost free from traffic, was fined £65 for preparing to turn left into Hartfield Crescent before the end of the bus lane.

I have asked Coun Judge to make available the full TfL report on the Merton web site so that the many aggrieved residents who have been served with a penalty charge may examine the evidence.

This will enable them to make their own judgements about whether the bus lane is a necessary traffic management resource or a cash cow.

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