Monday 26 June 2006 8:19 pm
As Islington Council's environment spokeswoman, I fought Labour Mayor Ken Livingstone's plans to impose bendy buses on our borough. And now I say it is time for Transport for London to promise there will be no further bendy bus routes through Islington.

Liberal Democrat Research has revealed that last year figures for fare dodging on bendy buses were double that on conventional single- and double-deck buses in London.

And the Advertising Standards Agency made TfL drop claims that boarding times were faster on bendy buses.

Islington residents are reporting more and more problems with the bendy buses

Route 38 buses blocking the junction at St Paul's Road and stopping traffic, including other buses

Route 73 buses are unable to negotiate parked cars in White Lion Street, causing traffic to back up along Baron Street and into Pentonville Road

Bus stops have to be suspended completely - not moved, during road works - because the bendy buses are too long

Bendy buses are blocking 'normal' buses, causing chaos around our busy bus stops at Angel and on Essex Road.

Now Ken Livingstone is admitting that it's all been a big experiment. He says bendy buses are still effectively on trial and they may yet be withdrawn.

But I reckon enough is enough. Ken should stop experimenting on Islington. Of course we want better bus services, but bendy buses just don't work on our crowded streets. It's time to say no to yet more bendy bus routes and to revisit the ones we already have.

If you too are being driven round the bend by bendy buses then find out more about my stop the bendy bus campaign.