PICTURES: Two stuck buses bring traffic chaos to busy Cromer
Alex Hurrell , Reporter
Saturday, July 2, 2011
12:56 PM
Two stuck double-decker buses brought traffic chaos to one of Norfolk’s busiest seaside resorts this lunchtime.
Vehicles were trying to reverse and queues built up in central Cromer as first one Sanders bus broke down and then a second became trapped as it went on a narrow street detour to avoid its out-of-action sister.
The first bus got into difficulties as it rounded the corner from Church Street into Mount Street, at about 11.30am. Among frustrated casualties was the popular Cromer Road Runner tourist train, pulling two carriages, which found its way blocked by the stricken bus and was unable to reverse.
Traffic coming down the Norwich Road was diverted via St Margaret’s Road and Cambridge Street back into Mount Street, but that route proved too narrow for a Sheringham-bound Sanders bus.
As it tried to negotiate the turn from Cambridge Street, it found the bend too tight because of a parked car on the corner of Mount Street, and scaffolding on a building directly opposite.
Among passengers who began pouring off the wedged number 44 were two women from Norwich who had hoped to visit Sheringham. “It looks like we’ll be staying in Cromer instead!” one of them said.
Melanie Pointer, who was working in taxi firm A1 Cabs, on Church Street, said the incident had created chaos.
“I’ve been trying to talk to our cars on the radio and come out into the street to direct other vehicles away from here,” she said. “Fortunately, our drivers know all the little back roads and can work their way around the problem. It couldn’t have happened at a busier time - midday on a Saturday.”
The wedged bus had moved away by 12.10pm and the broken-down vehicle was fixed at about 12.45pm.
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8 comments
Richard;I was walking past when the police were redirecting traffic. Chebram; First are the worst offenders on Castle Meadow, they treat it like a second bus station with no consideration for other companies.
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Mr Majika
Monday, July 4, 2011
It is not just Cromer where Sanders busses cause chaos, they frequesntly park at odd angles on Castle Meadow and so do Konectbus in Norwich. The amount of times this happens is beyond belief but I suppose all companies are guilty of doing this,including First.
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chebram71
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Hi on behalf of Sanders Coaches I would like to apologise for the inconvenience our vehicles caused on Saturday. Unfortunately with anything mechanical problems and breakdowns do occur from time to time although this was a first for us in such a significant and key location. Fortunately our skilled engineers were able to fairly quickly attend to the problem. Once again our sincere apologies to customers and other road users. Charles Sanders, Managing Director, Sanders Coaches, Holt.
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Charles Sanders
Sunday, July 3, 2011
I'm actually amazed the second bus got as far as it did without incident as anyone who knows Cromer will be aware of the narrowness caused by cars parking on both sides of Cambridge Street. A sorry state of affairs for all involved.
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Douglas McCoy
Sunday, July 3, 2011
@Mr Majika sorry where does it say the police in that article??? If it was the police then they are just as cupable either way the whole situation was Sanders fault
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Richard_Waugh
Sunday, July 3, 2011
@Richard Waugh; read the report properly? No, thought not. They were redirected down that route by the police.
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Mr Majika
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Evidence that public transport in North Norfolk is some of the finest in the world - not! Sanders Coaches should be ashamed!
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Ben
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Hmmm buses using an unchecked unsanctioned route? I presume Sanders will be coughing up compensation to all those affected? No thought not
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Richard_Waugh
Sunday, July 3, 2011