Proposed Changes to bus routes 224 and 440 Consultation report November 2018 1 Contents Executive summary ............................................................................................................... 4 Summary of issues raised during consultation……………………………………………3 Next steps …………………………………………………………………………………….3. 1 About the proposals.................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………4 1.2 Purpose…………………………………………………………………………………………..4 1.3 Detailed description ……………………………………………………………………………5 1.3.1 Route 440 extension to Wembley……………………………………………………….5 1.3.2 Route 224 …………………………………………………………………………………..6 1.3.3 Map of proposed changes…………………………………………………………………6 2 About the consultation ................................................................................................ 8 2.1 Purpose………………………………………………………………………………………….7 2.2 Potential outcome………………………………………………………………………………7 2.3 Who we consulted and how………………………………………………………………….7 2.4 Dates and duration ………………………………………………………………………………7 2.5 What we asked ………………………………………………………………………………….8 2.6 Methods of responding ………………………………………………………………………….8 2.7 Consultation material and publicity ……………………………………………………………...8 2.7.1 Website………………………………………………………………………………………..8 2.7.2 Letters and/or leaflets ………………………………………………………………………8 2.7.3 Emails to public………………………………………………………………………………9 2.7.4 Emails to stakeholders………………………………………………………………………9 2.7.5 On-site advertising ………………………………………………………………………….9 2.8 Analysis of consultation responses……………………………………………………………..9 3 About the respondents………………………………………………………………………9 3.1 Number of responses ………………………………………………………………………….9 2 3.2 How respondents heard about the consultation……………………………………………..9 3.3 How respondents identified themselves………………………………………………………10 4 Overview of responses ..............................................................................................12 4.1 Responses from stakeholders ………………………………………………………………12 5 Summary and conclusion ..........................................................................................14 Appendix A – List of stakeholders consulted ........................................................................15 Local groups and stakeholders ............................................................................................16 Appendix B - Consultation material ......................................................................................20 Appendix C - Responses to issues commonly raised ...........................................................25 3 Executive summary Between 2 July and 12 August 2018, a consultation was carried out on the proposed changes to bus routes 224 and 440. These involved plans to curtail route 224 at Alperton station while extending route 440 to serve the Wembley Stadium area. The objectives of these proposals were to appropriately match bus service capacity to passenger demand along these routes as well as supporting the extensive residential development currently underway around Wembley Stadium. We received 80 responses to the consultation, including three from stakeholders. 50% were in favour of the proposals to change route 224, compared to 25% who opposed or strongly opposed the plans. 67.5% of respondents supported the proposal to extend route 440. Summary of issues raised during consultation Curtailing the 224 will be detrimental to students and older people travelling to local shops and amenities. There will be a loss of direct link from Wembley to Central Middlesex hospital. Interchange between routes at Alperton involves crossing a busy road and the facilities are not adequate. Next steps We have reviewed all of the consultation responses and intend to proceed with the scheme as proposed in early 2019. 4 1 About the proposals 1.1 Introduction In 2017 we consulted on proposed changes to a number of bus routes in west London, as part of our plans for the Elizabeth line. Since then we have carried out further work to improve the bus network in the area. We have now developed a new set of proposals for route 440 that would: Provide new links from Stonebridge Park Station entrance to Wembley Stadium area where a large number of homes, shops and employment is being delivered. Provide new links from Tokyngton to Wembley Stadium, Park Royal, Acton, Chiswick and the Elizabeth line at Acton Main Line. Provide extra capacity around development sites at Wembley, Park Royal, North Acton and South Acton. A higher frequency route 440 running every 12 minutes during Monday to Saturday day times and every 15 minutes during Sunday day times and all evenings. Meet the Mayor’s Transport Strategy vision of improving orbital bus service links in outer London. Our review of bus services serving west London also revealed a number of routes that were running with a lot of spare capacity i.e. buses that are not full. We are therefore proposing the followings changes to route 224: Make route 224 more reliable by shortening the route Removing excess capacity along Ealing Road Some passengers will need to change bus at Alperton Station to continue their journey. We have proposed these changes to bus routes 440 and 224, to better match capacity with demand on these routes and to complement service changes required to accommodate the forthcoming introduction of the Elizabeth line in December 2019. As part of the original Elizabeth line consultation in 2017, further changes to route 440 were proposed around Chiswick, West Acton and Park Royal ASDA. This would result in a more direct route that could be extended to Wembley. After feedback from this consultation, we have asked for your views on modified proposals for route 440 in the Chiswick area. These proposals were consulted on separately at: consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/routes-27-and- 440/. 5 1.2 Purpose Route 224 We constantly review our bus services to ensure we have enough busses to meet passenger demand. Our review of bus services serving west London also revealed a number of routes that were running with a lot of spare capacity i.e. buses that are not full. We are therefore proposing the followings changes to route 224: Make route 224 more reliable by shortening the route Removing excess capacity along Ealing Road Some passengers will need to change bus at Alperton Station to continue their journey. Route 440 We listened to the feedback we received during last year’s consultation and have developed new proposals for route 440 that aim to: provide a new direct bus link between Stonebridge Park to Wembley. improve bus links into Chiswick Business Park from South Acton Estate a direct link between stops at the northern end of Chiswick Business Park and Gunnersbury station We have proposed these changes to bus routes 440 and 224, to better match capacity with demand on these routes and to complement service changes required to accommodate the forthcoming introduction of the Elizabeth line in December 2019. 1.3 Detailed description 1.3.1 Route 440 extension to Wembley Under our proposals route 440 would be extended between Stonebridge Park station and Wembley Industrial Estate via Harrow Road. Travelling northbound it would follow its existing line of route to the North Circular Road before serving stop B (currently used by route 112) instead of stop F at Stonebridge Park station. Then it would turn left on to Harrow Road serving the Tokyngton area following route 18 before running along Wembley Hill Road, Empire Way, Engineers Way, Fifth Way, Fourth Way, South Way and terminating at First Way. A new bus stand is proposed at First Way to accommodate route 440. It would return southbound from First Way turning left onto Engineers Way before serving Empire Way, Wembley Hill Road, Harrow Road, Point Place and Argenta Way. At Stonebridge Park station it would serve the same southbound stop A as it does at the moment before continuing on existing line of route. 6 As part of the original Elizabeth line consultation in 2017, further changes to route 440 were proposed around Chiswick, West Acton and Park Royal ASDA. This would result in a more direct route that could be extended to Wembley. A link to the original Elizabeth line bus consultation and proposed changes to route 440 at West Acton and Park Royal ASDA are available here: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/74970d79/#Acton Main Line 1.3.2 Route 224 Alongside the enhancements to route 440 and in response to the recent introduction of the new route 483, we are proposing to cut route 224 between Alperton Sainsbury’s and Wembley Stadium. Under the proposals route 224 buses would no longer run between Alperton Sainsbury’s and Wembley Stadium. It would continue to run from St. Raphael’s Estate to Alperton Sainsbury’s terminating at stop H. It would return towards St. Raphael’s Estate picking up at stop H. This would affect around 700 passengers a day by no longer serving central Wembley. Passengers would still be able to complete the journey to central Wembley by bus with a single change at Alperton Station onto route 79, 83, 297 or the new route 483 (introduced in 2016). The Hopper fare means this is free of charge. For many passengers this would be quicker as using the current route 224 requires a longer journey via Alperton Sainsbury’s. 1.3.3 Map of proposed changes 7 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