Walthamstow gyratory bus changes
Consultation Report October 2018
Contents
Executive summary – Walthamstow gyratory bus changes ...... 4 Summary of issues raised during consultation ...... 4 Next steps ...... 4 1. About the proposals ...... 5 1.1 Introduction ...... 5 1.2 Purpose ...... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.3 Detailed description ...... 5 2. About the consultation ...... 6 2.1 Purpose ...... 6 2.2 Potential outcomes ...... 6 2.3 Dates and duration ...... 6 2.4 What we asked ...... 6 2.5 Methods of responding ...... 7 2.6 Consultation materials and publicity ...... 7 2.7 Analysis of consultation responses ...... 8 3. About the respondents ...... 9 3.1 Type of respondents ...... 9 3.2 How respondents heard about the consultation ...... 9 3.3 Methods of responding ...... 9 4. Summary of all consultation responses ...... 10 4.1 Do you use buses in the Walthamstow area? ...... 10 4.2 Which of these buses do you use and how often do you use them? ...... 10 4.3 Which of these buses do you use and how often do you use them? ...... 10 4.4 What do you think of our proposal to remove the alighting point on Selborne Road to introduce measures to reduce bus congestion on the approach to the bus station? ...... 10 4.5 What do you think of our proposal to relocate the north and southbound 97 and 357 bus stops from the bus station to Hoe Street, to reduce journey times and increase bus station capacity available for other services? ...... 11
2 4.6 How will the proposed changes affect your journey? ...... 12 4.7 Issues commonly raised ...... 13 5 Next steps ...... 15 Appendix A: Questions 2 & 3 data ...... 16 Appendix B: Consultation letter/leaflet/webpage ...... 17
3 Executive summary – Walthamstow gyratory bus changes
Between 22 June and 3 August 2018, we consulted on proposals to change routes 97 and 357.
The consultation proposed two changes to bus services in the Walthamstow area. The changes would remove bus stop AP outside Walthamstow Central station on Selborne Road. Buses that currently serve bus stop AP would instead run directly into Walthamstow bus station to set down and pick up customers.
Buses on routes 97 and 357 would not use Selborne Road or Walthamstow bus station and instead run via Hoe Street in both directions, stopping at a new pair of stops on Hoe Street. This would help to reduce delay between the Hoe Street/Selborne Walk and Walthamstow bus station junctions.
544 people responded with 53.31 per cent of respondents in favour of removing bus stop AP, with 34.74 per cent opposing. 52.57 per cent of respondents favoured proposals to relocate the north and southbound 97 and 357 from the bus station to Hoe Street, with 37.13 per cent opposing.
The main themes are highlighted below.
Summary of issues raised during consultation Positive comments, supporting the principle of reducing congestion on Selborne Road and improving journey times were reflected in the responses. There were a number of concerns around the loss of direct connectivity with other services using the bus station and a number of people concerned about the extra walking times involved.
Next steps We will publish our response to issues raised document during November 2018. After considering all responses, we plan to proceed with the scheme as proposed.
4 1. About the proposals
1.1 Introduction In 2013, the London Borough of Waltham Forest (LBWF) was selected to be part of the Mayor of London’s Mini-Hollands fund. The borough was granted funding and named the programme of upgrades Enjoy Waltham Forest.
LBWF have used funding to upgrade streets and the borough road network to help tackle key issues surrounding road safety and air quality. “Mini-Holland” is one of many projects underway to make Waltham Forest safer for walking and cycling.
The councils aim is to enhance road infrastructure to encourage walking and cycling by providing designated spaces for people to cycle, reducing traffic speeds, prioritising pedestrians at junctions and increasing and upgrading crossings we hope to make the borough a safer place to travel, encourage residents to think more about road safety and reduce collisions borough wide.
The plans for Walthamstow gyratory include enhancements for cyclists, pedestrians and buses that use Walthamstow Central bus station. The proposal to remove bus stop AP and re-route the 97 & 357 buses to run straight along Hoe Street will lead to reduced journey times and a more direct, reliable service.
1.2 Detailed description The 14 bus routes that use Walthamstow bus station and are therefore affected by the consultation are – routes 20, 34, 48, 69, 97, 212, 215, 230, 257, 275, 357, W12, W15 and W19, along with a school route 675 and three night bus services N26, N38 and N73. The large numbers of buses combined with general traffic have led to concerns over increased delays. The changes bring a reduction in bus journey times on most routes.
However, customers that use the 97 and 357 for travel to Walthamstow Underground/Overground and the bus station will have to walk 150 metres to the newly sited bus stops.
5 2. About the consultation
2.1 Purpose The objectives of the consultation were:
To give stakeholders and the public easily-understandable information about the proposals and invite them to respond
To understand any issues that might affect the proposals of which we were not previously aware
To understand concerns and objections to the proposals
To invite respondents to make suggestions
To understand the level of support or opposition for the proposals to change routes 97 and 357
2.2 Potential outcomes The potential outcomes of the consultation were:
Following careful consideration of all responses, we decide to proceed with the proposals as set out in the consultation
Following careful consideration of all responses, we modify the proposals in response to issues raised and proceed with a revised scheme
Following careful consideration of all responses, we decide not to proceed with the proposals Our conclusion and next steps are set out in Chapter 4.
2.3 Dates and duration The consultation ran between Friday 22 June until Friday 3 August. The consultation took place over a six week timeframe.
2.4 What we asked We asked the public to advise us whether they used buses in Walthamstow, which ones they used and their frequency of use. We asked people to tell us their level of support for the removal of bus stop AP and to tell us their level of support for
6 removing bus route 97 and 357 from the bus station and creating new stops on Hoe Street. We asked whether the proposals would affect the respondents journey in a positive or negative way.
2.5 Methods of responding The main route of response was via an online survey accessible via TfL’s website and consultation portal. We also collated email and postal responses.
2.6 Consultation materials and publicity
2.6.1 Website A page on the consultation website was launched on 20 June in advance of the consultation going live.
2.6.2 Letters and/or leaflets TfL delivered 1132 letters to residents and businesses in a designated geographical area close to Walthamstow town centre to advise local people of the consultation.
2.6.3 Emails to the public A targeted email to Oyster users in the Walthamstow area was sent to 30,422 people on Friday 22 June when the consultation was launched.
2.6.4 Emails to stakeholders A personal invite to respond to the consultation was sent to 89 local borough stakeholders on Friday 22 June. These stakeholders were also encouraged to share information about the consultation with their local networks and community contacts,
2.6.5 On-site advertising We placed posters on all bus stops in Walthamstow town centre for the length of the consultation.
7 2.6.6 Meetings with stakeholders
Local authorities & statutory bodies London Borough of Waltham Forest – As the London Borough of Waltham Forest are undertaking a number of works in Walthamstow town centre, our officers met with the borough project team on various occasions to establish the most effective scheme available.
2.7 Analysis of consultation responses Analysis was undertaken in-house by our Local Communities and Partnerships team.
8 3. About the respondents
This section sets out the range of respondents that interacted with our consultation.
3.1 Type of respondents
Respondents Total % Residents 426 78.3 Local Business Owners 8 1.4 Employed Locally 50 9.1 Visitor to the area 34 6.2 Commuter to the area 82 15.0 Not local but interested in scheme 8 1.4 Taxi/private hire vehicle driver 1 0.1 Other 3 0.5 Not answered 45 8.2
3.2 How respondents heard about the consultation 88 per cent of respondents answered this question.
How respondents heard Total % Received a letter from TfL 6 1.24 Received an email from TfL 290 60.04 Read in the press 14 2.89 Saw it on TfL website 59 12.21
Social Media 74 15.32 Other 40 8.28
3.3 Methods of responding
Methods of responding Total % Website 505 92.83 Email 39 7.16
9 4. Summary of all consultation responses
4.1 Do you use buses in the Walthamstow area? We asked respondents whether they were bus users in Walthamstow.
All responses
Yes 500 (91.91%) No 3 (0.55%) Did not answer 41 (7.53%)
4.2 Which of these buses do you use and how often do you use them? We asked respondents which buses they use and how often they used them. This was split over two questions due to the number of options available.
Responses to this question demonstrated that the 97 was the route that most of the respondents used most often. A full breakdown of the respondents can be found in Appendix A.
4.3 Which of these buses do you use and how often do you use them? Responses to this question demonstrated that the 357 was the route that most of the respondents used most often. A full breakdown of the respondents can be found in Appendix A.
4.4 What do you think of our proposal to remove the alighting point on Selborne Road to introduce measures to reduce bus congestion on the approach to the bus station?
All responses
Strongly Support 185 (34.01%) Support 105 (19.30%) Neither support nor oppose 48 (8.824%) Oppose 66 (12.13%)
10 Strongly oppose 123 (22.61%) Don’t know 8 (1.471%) Did not answer 9 (1.654%)
4.4 What do you think of our proposal to remove the alighting point on Selborne Road to introduce measures to reduce bus congestion on the approach to the bus station?
220 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Neither Strongly Strongly Support support nor Oppose Don't know support oppose oppose Number of responses 185 105 48 66 123 8 Percentage 34% 19% 9% 12% 23% 1%
4.5 What do you think of our proposal to relocate the north and southbound 97 and 357 bus stops from the bus station to Hoe Street, to reduce journey times and increase bus station capacity available for other services?
All responses
Strongly Support 205 (37.68%) Support 81 (14.89%) Neither support nor oppose 41 (7.537%) Oppose 60 (11.03%) Strongly oppose 142 (26.10%) Don’t know 7 (1.287%) Did not answer 8 (1.471%)
11 4.5 What do you think of our proposal to relocate the north and southbound 97 and 357 bus stops from the bus station to Hoe Street, to reduce journey times and increase bus station capacity available for other services?
220 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Neither Strongly Strongly Support support nor Oppose Don't know support oppose oppose Number of responses 205 81 41 60 142 7 Percentage 38% 15% 8% 11% 26% 1%
4.6 How will the proposed changes affect your journey?
All responses
Make it much better 155 (28.49%) Make it slightly better 88 (16.18%) No change 43 (7.904%) Make it slightly worse 91 (16.73%) Make it much worse 126 (23.16%) Did not answer 41 (7.537%)
12 How will the proposed changes affect your journey?
220 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Make it Make it Make it Make it Did not much slightly No change slightly much answer better better worse worse Number of responses 155 88 43 91 126 41 Percentage 28% 16% 8% 17% 23% 8%
4.7 Issues commonly raised Of the 544 people who responded to this consultation, 342 (62.9%) provided a comment in the open text box for the scheme. A detailed analysis of comments will soon be available as part of our response to issues raised.
The most frequently raised issues are listed below.
Issue
Concern about loss of connection with other bus 78 services Concern about loss of direct access to LU/LO stations 45 Safety concerns 33 Worried about crossing the road 31 Concerns over extra walking time 29 Concern for those less able to walk 29 Reduce journey times 18 Difficulty in walking to new stops 17 Reduce congestion 13 Overcrowding concerns 12
13 Concern about loss of connection with other bus services 78 respondents were concerned by the fact that they would be unable to interchange with other buses directly at Walthamstow bus station. A number highlighted that they would be required to choose whether to catch a service from the bus station or walk to the proposed new stops on Hoe Street.
Concern about loss of direct access to LU/LO stations 45 respondents were concerned by the loss of direct access to the London Underground/Overground station. Currently the services stop directly outside the station and with these proposals they will have to walk from the proposed new stops on Hoe Street.
Safety Concerns 33 respondents raised safety concerns. Most of these concerns related to the fact under the proposals, the 97 and 357 buses would no longer be within the bus station and cited potential concerns to their personal safety waiting at the new bus stops on Hoe Street.
Worried about crossing the road 31 respondents noted concerns about crossing the road. These mostly talked about the fact that there was no direct crossing over the length of Hoe Street and that they felt some members of the public may choose to not adhere to the green man.
Concerns over extra walking time 29 respondents mentioned concerns over the extra time it would take for them to walk from Hoe Street to the bus/train station, causing delay to their journey.
Concerns for those less able to walk 29 respondents raised concerns for those with mobility impairments who will find it difficult getting to the new stops.
Reduce journey times 18 respondents commented that the proposals would reduce journey times on their commute.
Difficulty in walking to the new stops 17 respondents noted that they would find it difficult in walking to the new stops.
Reduce congestion 13 respondents commented that the proposals would reduce congestion in Walthamstow town centre and improve their commute.
Overcrowding concerns 12 respondents noted concerns about overcrowding in the bus station.
14 5 Next steps
We are now reviewing comments made during the consultation. We will publish our response to issues raised document in November 2018.
After considering all responses, we plan to proceed with the scheme as proposed.
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Appendix A: Questions 2 & 3 data
20 34 48 55 56 58 69 97 212 215 230 257
Daily/ 17 54 33 25 30 22 67 208 30 76 31 37 nightly (3.1 (9.9 (6% (4.6 (5.1 (4.0 (12 (38. (5.1 (13. (5.6 (6.8 %) %) ) %) %) %) %) 2%) %) 9%) %) %) 2/3 18 37 32 17 22 19 53 126 38 58 28 29 times a (3.3 (6.8 (5.8 (3.1 (4.0 (3.4 (9.7 (23. (6.9 (10. (5.1 (5.3 week %) %) %) %) %) %) %) 1%) %) 8%) %) %) Once a 12 26 17 17 15 15 32 71 18 34 25 28 week (2.2 (4.7 (3.1 (3.1 (2.7 (2.7 (5.8 (13. (3.3 (6.2 (4.5 (5.1 %) %) %) %) %) %) %) 0%) %) %) %) %) 1-2 22 43 51 38 32 29 55 86 50 34 31 38 times a (4.0 (7.9 (9.3 (6.9 (5.8 (5.3 (10. (15. (9.1 (6.2 (5.6 (6.9 month %) %) %) %) %) %) 1%) 8%) %) %) %) %) Rarely 65 60 60 64 56 53 56 23 67 47 58 68 (11. (11.0 (11. (11. (10. (9.7 (10 (4.2 (12. (8.6 (10. (12. 9%) %) 0%) 7%) 2%) %) %) %) 3%) %) 6%) 5%) Never 103 72 70 74 80 75 51 7 75 65 85 54 (18. (13.2 (12. (13. (14. (13. (9.3 (1.2 (13. (11. (15. (9.9 9%) %) 8%) 6%) 7%) 7%) %) %) 7%) 9%) 6%) %)
W11 W12 W15 W16 W19 N26 N38 N73 257 357 675
Daily/ 39 109 0 18 15 44 30 20 12 7 4 nightly (7.1 (20. (3.3 (2.7 (8.0 (5.5 (3.6 (2.2 (1.2 (0.7 %) 0%) %) %) %) %) %) %) %) %) 2/3 30 68 0 18 9 45 26 31 3 3 2 times a (5.5 (12. (3.3 (1.6 (8.2 (4.7 (5.6 (0.5 (0.5 (0.3 week %) 5%) %) %) %) %) %) %) %) %) Once a 20 45 1 10 8 23 22 10 7 4 3 week (3.6 (8.2 (0.1 (1.3 (1.4 (4.2 (4.0 (1.8 (1.2 (0.7 (0.5 %) %) %) %) %) %) %) %) %) %) %) 1-2 33 45 1 31 28 40 31 27 25 18 14 times a (6.0 (8.2 (0.1 (5.6 (5.1 (7.3 (5.6 (4.9 (4.5 (3.3 (2.5 month %) %) %) %) %) %) %) %) %) %) %) Rarely 51 47 23 47 58 58 51 49 55 50 53 (9.3 (8.6 (4.2 (8.6 (10 (10.) (9.3 (9.0 (10. (9.1 (9.7 %) %) %) %) %) %) %) 1% %) %) Never 84 52 165 100 97 66 82 92 116 124 122 (15. (9.5 (30. (18. (17. (12. (15. (16. (21. (22. (22. 4%) %) 3%) 3%) 8%) 1%) 7%) 9%) 3%) 7%) 4%)
16 Appendix B: Consultation letter/leaflet/webpage
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