Amongst other things, those yellow signs tell drivers that they cannot fork right from St James Road Northampton into Harlestone Road. Neither can buses on route 3, 8, 12, 63 and 96.
Once upon a time there were roads which could have been used, at a pinch, to avoid the problem; but, in a desire to placate the motorist and to ensure their free flow through the Square and its environs, all "rat runs" have been closed off over the years.
St James Park Road is blocked at the West Bridge end ...
... and Stenson Street is blocked in its middle.
This leaves Marlborough Road which looks OK on the map but vehicles would hit another snag. St James Park Road is blocked near the Spencer Bridge Road end!
There is no alternative but for buses to Kings Heath, Rye Hill and Rugby to be diverted away from the .St James Road
This is very unsatisfactory.
Stops at Marefair (shops), Station (trains) Mill Road and The Square (shops again) are all missed The only less-than-ideal offer is Newcombe Road.
This is quite a hefty walk from St James, especially if you were carrying a heavy shopping bag. Readers who stick with this blog will remember that Stagecoach's explanations was less tn coherent.
Due to roadworks the right turn from St James’ Road to Harlestone Road is closed from 9th January - End of March
Routes 8 & 12
Buses are unable to serve Mare Fair, the railway station, or St James’ Road
Buses will divert St Andrew Street - Spencer Bridge Road - right into Harlestone Road - Right into Vicarage Road to resume normal route.
Buses towards Kings Heath are advised to use the stop on Spencer Bridge Road at the bottom of Newcombe Road
Buses towards Northampton town will use normal route, however buses are unable to use stops in St James’ outside NatWest Bank. Passengers should use the temporary stop outside Farm foods
Route 3 & 96
Buses are unable to serve Mare Fair, the railway station, or St James’ Road
Buses will divert St Andrew Street - Spencer Bridge Road. Buses will turn right into Harleston Road to resume normal route.
Buses towards Harlestone Manor/Rugby are advised to use the stop on Spencer Bridge Road at the bottom of Newcombe Road or the stop on Harlestone Road opposite Vicarage Road
Buses towards Northampton town will use normal route, however buses are unable to use stops in St James’ outside NatWest Bank. Passengers should use the temporary stop outside Farm foods
We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Quite why this cannot be explained in one simple paragraph is unclear. Apart from the turn into Vicarage Road, all four routes follow exactly the same diversion.
"Routes 8 and 12 turn right into Vicarage Road to rejoin the normal route to Kings Heath whilst route 3 and 96 continue along Harelstone Road" would seem a better way of explaining things.
"Buses towards Kings Heath are advised to use the stop on Spencer Bridge Road at the bottom of Newcombe Road"
Stagecoach probably means that "passengers" are advised to use the stop. Buses are required to observe it!
Grim!
But at least inbound buses are running normally.
Oh no they're not!
After serving the inbound stop on Marefair, buses cannot continue via Gold Street, so must turn right ...
... and run via Horsemarket (A508) and St Peters Way (A5123) the use Bridge Street to get to their stops in The Drapery or the bus station. fbb can find no explanation of this inbound diversion anywhere on-line.
No doubt someone "out there" knows the secret.
The junction at The Plough (map, bottom right) ...
... is nearly a huge roundabout, but with the provision for some traffic to miss bits of it out. Often it clogs solid.
Not nice for bus passengers for the Town Centre who might well get off at Marefair and walk up Gold Street.
All of this means that passengers from Kings Heath will, sensibly, avoid St James like the plague - which won't do much for the commercial viability of the suburbs traders.
Never mind eh?
Last Saturday there were home matches at Franklins Gardens (rugby: aerial view right) and Sixfields (footy: aerial view left). The had different kick-off times but, needless to say, Stagecoach was reporting "heavy delays" on its Social Media.
What a surprise!
If you missed the posts on this topic, click (here) for part one; (here) for part two ; (here) for part 3 and (here) for part four.
Paris Trolleybuses tomorrow?
Next (trolley)bus blog : Wednesday 18th January
And no doubt the traders at St. James will complain like mad but put it all down to customers not being able to park outside, completely forgetting the ones who come by bus. Plus ca change.
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