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It's really annoying because the pedestrian phase is short and the traffic phase is really long, and the bus wouldn't actually be delayed as it has to wait through 2 cycles of the next set of lights to join the Westminster bridge roundabout anyway.
I'd guess (not knowing that spot very well) that your answer may be implicit in this--the bus queues on the approach to the next junction probably get too long (quite a few bus routes use that stretch), quite possibly because they only get a green phase every two phases compared to the York Road/Lambeth Palace Road alignment (if that's the case).
You could certainly try to push this with TfL via the bus driver route, but in my experience that only works for a short while before it gets forgotten again.
The problem for bus drivers is that the bus lane ends close to the junction because there are only two approach lanes left (down from three), seemingly following recent footway widening works to accommodate a stretch of segregated cycle track on the footway. The three approach lanes were rather crammed in before (the nearside lane was most definitely sub-standard in width) and in principle it's a good thing to reduce approach lanes for motor traffic, as it reduces a junction's motor traffic capacity (and motor traffic volumes will adapt over time, which probably hasn't happened here yet), but typically such schemes have knock-on effects further down the line, which may be the case here. It's entirely possible that another scheme is in the works at that pedestrian crossing but just hasn't gone on-site yet, but it also happens that such effects are not predicted (although that would surprise me). Since the bus lane doesn't continue all the way to the next junction, a bus pre-signal scheme might work (although the space may be a little too tight to permit it).
In any case, I'm sure a note to TfL can only help in putting it on the radar, especially if other people have noticed. I wouldn't use the first page skidlidsid linked to, but the second one, or you could use this:
https://tfl.gov.uk/help-and-contact/contact-us-about-buses
There are also groups like Lambeth LCC or Living Streets that may be able to take it forward. I expect Lambeth LCC would know what's going on in that particular stretch.
Oliver Schick-
in principle it's a good thing to reduce approach lanes for motor traffic, as it reduces a junction's motor traffic capacity (and motor traffic volumes will adapt over time
I understand what you are saying here but does this principle still apply in Central London? The reason I ask is that it seems to me from personal observation that most of the ‘discretionary’ rush hour traffic (ie private cars) has long since shifted to tube, bus, bike etc, so the people who are still driving in must need their car or van for some reason (disability, carrying tools and equipment, estate agents that drive clients to viewing etc).
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I'd guess (not knowing that spot very well) that your answer may be implicit in this--the bus queues on the approach to the next junction probably get too long (quite a few bus routes use that stretch), quite possibly because they only get a green phase every two phases compared to the York Road/Lambeth Palace Road alignment (if that's the case).
The queue is two lanes of all kinds of traffic, not just buses. There's no bus lane at that point.
All other kinds of vehicles, except buses*, stop downstream of the crossing until they can get all the way across it, leaving it clear for use by pedestrians.
I don't know why that spot is so bad. I've not really noticed buses obstructing crossings regularly in other parts of London.
It's nothing to do with the roadworks - they've always behaved like that. Now the crossing is wider and the railings have been removed it's slightly harder for bus drivers to completely block the crossing, but they do try.
They could solve the problem by buying buses with doors on both sides.
*And a few white vans, but not that many.
NickCJ
inappropriate_bike
How do you complain about bus drivers?
The pedestrian crossing between lower marsh and Carlisle lane is blocked by a bus so often I've started to ponder pressing the emergency bus off button every time it happens.
It's really annoying because the pedestrian phase is short and the traffic phase is really long, and the bus wouldn't actually be delayed as it has to wait through 2 cycles of the next set of lights to join the Westminster bridge roundabout anyway.