Missing the bus [Engineering Design]

The Routemaster bus came to symbolise London. The value of symbols is not lost on politicians; one had a pipe, one a hat and another a cigar. The current Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, wanted something bigger, bolder, more inclusive - a bright red bus. He thought the current series of London buses lacked glamour and, perhaps being a Conservative, he looked back at the style of the retired Routemaster and wanted it to be brought back - and brought up to date.Lawrie Douglas examines the winning entries for the new Routemaster bus design competition and the issues they present.