Merseytravel's removal of bus lay-bys is 'madness'

Removing lay-bys for buses in Liverpool is "municipal madness", a city councillor has said.

Critics say the decision by Merseytravel will lead to an increase in congestion on Merseyside.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Eddie Clein said the authority should have consulted local councillors.

Merseytravel, which regulates public transport on Merseyside, said removing the lay-bys was a response to Department of Transport guidelines.

Angry motorists

One of the first lay-bys to be removed was in Abbey Road, Childwall.

Mr Clein, who represents Childwall, said: "This is absolute municipal madness - it is a project that was never discussed with local councillors.

"They [Merseytravel] did give some undertakings they were going to make some alterations because of health and safety issues of passengers getting on and off... they never came back to us.

"They started around Christmas with all the cold weather - what they have done is a complete nightmare."

Merseytravel said it was difficult for buses to get back into the traffic flow and that lay-bys also attracted illegal parking.

The RAC Foundation said the effects of filling in bus lay-bys would be more traffic jams, more pollution and more angry motorists.