Consultation on possible changes to bus routes 138, 269, 336 and 367

Consultation Report

March 2013

Contents Section 1 Introduction 2 The Consultation 3 Responses from members of the public 4 Responses from statutory bodies and other Stakeholders 5 Summary

Appendices

A Copy of the consultation letter/leaflet B Leaflet distribution area C List of stakeholders consulted

1 Introduction

This document summarises responses to the consultation for proposed changes to routes 138, 269, 336 and 367. TfL’s responses to the main issues raised are contained in a separate document. Both are available on the TfL website.

The London Borough of Bromley is delivering significant changes to the area around Bromley North Village. These improvements include: • An enhanced pedestrian environment with wider footways • New public spaces • Clearer pedestrian signage • Safer crossings

2. The consultation

As a result of these enhancements it is necessary to make changes to bus routes and stops in the area as it will no longer be possible for buses to use East Street.

We are proposing changes to some of the bus routes that currently serve East Street, Market Square and Widmore Road and also changes to bus stops around Market Square.

Affected bus routes

Route 138 Bromley North – Coney Hall

Route 269 Bromley North – Bexleyheath

Route 336 – Locksbottom

Route 367 Bromley – Croydon

From Bromley North station soutbound, buses on routes 138, 336 and 367 would be rerouted along Tweedy Road direct to Kentish Way, instead of East Street and Widmore Road.

Route 269 towards Bexleyheath would be rerouted from Bromley North station, along Tweedy Road direct into Widmore Road. It would no longer serve East Street or the western end of Widmore Road. The nearest bus stops to the High Street and Market Square would be at Bromley North station, or in Widmore Road at Kentish Way.

We are also proposing to make changes to some bus stops in the town centre as buses will no longer serve East Street. Bus stop F in East Street at Market Square would close. Routes 138, 269, 336 and 367 would no longer serve bus stop J in Widmore Road. Routes would continue to service the Market Square area as they do now. However the stops on Market Square (stops I and O) will close to allow streetscape changes and stops L and LA (in the High Street) would be merged into one stop.

1.1 Consultation objectives

The objectives of the consultation were: • To give stakeholders and the public easily-understandable information about the proposals and allow them to respond • To understand the level of support or opposition for the change • To understand any issues that might affect the proposal of which we were not previously aware • To understand concerns and objections • To allow respondents to make suggestions.

1.2 Who we consulted

The public consultation sought the views of people who live near to the proposed route, current users of the services and other potential users. We also consulted stakeholders including the London Borough of Bromley, traffic police, London TravelWatch, Members of Parliament, Assembly Members and local interest groups. A list of the stakeholders we consulted is shown in Appendix C and a summary of all responses is given in Section 4.

1.3 Consultation material, distribution and publicity

A consultation leaflet, questionnaire and map detailing the proposals was produced and distributed to over 7000 local households and businesses. A copy of all materials is shown in Appendix A and a map of the distribution area can be found in Appendix B. Materials were sent by post to local residents and businesses and email to stakeholders.

We asked five specific questions and gave a free-text response area. It was possible to respond by sending the questionnaire back to our freepost address, by emailing [email protected] or by responding to the online consultation at www.tfl.gov.uk/busrouteconsultation

Leaflets were available to view at the Bromley Central library and Bromley Civic Centre.

Braille, audio and large-font versions of the consultation materials were available on request.

1.4 Meetings and site visits

During September 2012 TfL representatives met with London Borough of Bromley officers for a pre-consultation meeting to outline proposals and consider the consultation information from them.

2 Responses from members of the public

We asked five consultation questions and invited respondents to add further comments. There were 446 public and 3 stakeholder responses to the consultation; not all respondents chose to answer all of the questions. 373 responded by post and 73 responded online. Responses are summarised below

2.1 Do you support the proposals described?

200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Not Yes No Partly Not sure Total answered Number of replies 148 172 107 7 12 446

2.2 Do you support routes 138, 336, and 367 being rerouted southbound to run via Tweedy Road direct to Kentish Way instead of East Street and Widmore Road?

200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Doesn't Not Yes No Not sure Total affect me answered Number of replies 166 131 121 13 15 446

(Includes responses from stakeholders)

2.3 Do you support route 269 being rerouted eastbound to run via Tweedy Road direct to Widmore Road instead of East Street and the western end of Widmore Street?

200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Doesn't Not Yes No Not sure Total affect me answered Number of replies 158 167 93 15 13 446

2.4 Do you feel these proposals will improve your bus journey?

250

200

150

100

50

0 Doesn't Not Yes No Partly Not sure Total affect me answered Number of replies 95 219 34 20 67 11 446

2.5 Are you responding as a local resident, business or bus user?

200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Not Resident Business Bus user Other Total answered Number of replies 176 10 112 148 0 446

2.6 Respondents were invited to provide additional comments.

The table below summarises comments and suggestions made.

Total number of Issues responses Against due to long walk to other bus stops 111 No benefits to elderly and disabled and parents using the bus 97 I do not understand the need to close bus stops I and O 96 Diverting the 269 is a really bad idea. 36 Buses too far from the centre 31 Buses to far from Sainsbury s 26 Scheme not friendly and footpath is narrow at the new bus stop 23 Market Square stop would create difficulties for those using the 358 15 and 208 to go to the Glades.

3 Responses from statutory bodies and other stakeholders

A total of four stakeholder responses were received.

See below a summary of issues raised by stakeholders.

Chris Cole - London Borough of Bromley Transport Planning Manager • Bromley Council welcomes the proposal.

Cllr Morgan – London Borough of Bromley • The proposals to change the bus routes and bus stops around the East Street, Market Square and Widmore Road are fully supported.

Cllr Smith - London Borough of Bromley (on behalf of other Councillors) • Concerns were raised about not serving East Street.

Vincent Stops - London TravelWatch – Have Concerns • Concerns were raised about not serving East Street. They would like to see routes 138,269 and 367 routed via London Road, High Street and Widmore Road.

Sue Southon – Bromley Mobility Forum Group - Have Concerns • We feel that this consultation is flawed. • No representatives from those affected, particularly those with mobility issues and will have to face a number of challenges using public transport. • TfL would be in a much better position to understand the issues around these proposals and thereby make suitable adjustments where possible.

5. Summary

• The most common comment was concern about the additional distance to new sited bus stops.

• There were also some comments about route 269 not serving Widmore Street and East Street.

• A number of respondents suggested not changing route 269.

• TfL’s responses to the points raised are contained in a separate document available on the TfL website.

Appendix A – Consultation letter and leaflet

Dear Stakeholder,

Bus routes 138, 336, 367, 269 Bromley North Village

London Borough of Bromley is intending to make various urban realm improvements throughout Bromley North Village (the area between Widmore Road and Bromley North Station). Part of the proposals includes pedestrianising East Street.

East Street is currently served by routes 138, 269, 336 and 367 southbound only. Northbound buses use West Street and it is expected that no changes to northbound routeings will be required.

Proposal

A number of options have been investigated for alternative routeings including two-way via - West Street and diverting services via London Road and High Street. West Street is not wide enough to accommodate two way bus movements. Routeing via Tweedy Road to line of route is the preferred option.

Two stops are being removed (stops I&O) situated on the south end of East Street and one situated on Widmore Street approximately 40 metres to the west of Tweedy Road. Routes 138, 336, 367 would continue to serve the High Street however route 269 would only serve Bromley North Station.

Journey times are expected to remain broadly neutral and no changes to resource would be expected if the routes were to go via Tweedy Road.

PROPOSALS

It is proposed to reroute southbound buses on routes 138, 269, 336 and 367 via Tweedy Road (instead of East Street and Widmore Road) to line of route.

This letter is part of the process which fulfils the requirement for TfL to consult under Section 183 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999.

If you require any further information or have any comments about these proposals then please let us know using the contact details provided above, to our freepost address; Freepost RRZL-CUSK-AAEE, Transport for London, Consultation Delivery Team, Zone G9, 11th Floor, 197 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8NJ or by using the link to our online consultation below: www.tfl.gov.uk/busrouteconsultation

Yours sincerely

Mario Constantinou Consultation Delivery Officer Transport for London [email protected]

Appendix B – Leaflet distribution area

Appendix C – List of Stakeholders Consulted

Elected Members Cllr Stephen Carr Leader of Bromley Council Cllr David Hastings Bromley Town Ward Cllr Nicky Dykes Bromley Town Ward Cllr Will Harmer Bromley Town Ward Cllr Michael Turner Plaistow & Sundridge Ward Cllr Peter Morgan Plaistow & Sundridge Ward Cllr Ellie Harmer Plaistow & Sundridge Ward Caroline Pidgeon, Assembly Member Greater London Authority Len Duvall, Assembly Member Greater London Authority Darren Johnson, Assembly Member Greater London Authority Gareth Bacon, Assembly Member Greater London Authority Jenny Jones, Assembly Member Greater London Authority Murad Qureshi, Assembly Member Greater London Authority Nicky Gavron, Assembly Member Greater London Authority Andrew Boff, Assembly Member Greater London Authority Victoria Borwick, Assembly Member Greater London Authority Tom Copley, Assembly Member Greater London Authority Stephen Knight, Assembly Member Greater London Authority Fiona Twycross, Assembly Member Greater London Authority James Cleverly, Assembly Member Greater London Authority Steve O'Connell, Assembly Member Greater London Authority Malcolm Wicks, MP House of Commons Bob Stewart, MP House of Commons David Burrowes, MP House of Commons Jo Johnson, MP House of Commons James Brokenshire, MP House of Commons Gavin Barwell, MP House of Commons

Malcolm Wicks, MP House of Commons Heidi Alexander, MP House of Commons Jim Dowd, MP House of Commons Joan Ruddock, MP House of Commons

Local Authorities Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames London Borough of Bromley London Borough of London Borough of Bexley London borough of Croydon London Borough of Other Stakeholders London TravelWatch Royal Parks Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

Motoring and Transport Group Motorcycle Action Group Orpington and District Public Transport Users' Association London Tramlink Royal Mail AA Motoring Trust AA Public Affairs Bromley Safer Transport Team London Cycling Campaign London Underground RADAR London Access Forum Port of London Authority RNIB Green Flag Group RAC Motoring Services Association of British Drivers Road Haulage Association Bromley LINK Lewisham Safer Transport Team Motorcycle Industry Association London City Airport Freight Transport Association Lewisham LINK British Motorcyclists Federation Utilities British Telecom Thames Water EDF Energy National Grid NHS Lambeth Primary Care Trust West London Mental Health NHS Trust Bromley Primary Care Trust Eltham Public Transport Group Belvedere Community Forum

Belvedere Community Forum Lambeth Primary Care Trust Bexley Primary Care Trust

Disabilities and Charity Groups Bexley LINK Croydon Transport Focus National Children's Bureau London Cycling Campaign (Croydon) Virtual Norwood Forum Older Peoples' Network Croydon Croydon Primary Care Trust Croydon Safer Transport Team

Croydon LINK Broad Green & Waddon Neighbourhood Partnership Forest Hill Traders Association London Cycling Campaign (Lewisham) South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Petts Wood & District RA Virtual Norwood Forum Bromley Council on Ageing Herne Hill Society Police & Health Authorities Metropolitan Police - Community Police Metropolitan Police London Ambulance Service Local Interest Groups Greater London Forum for the Elderly The British Dyslexia Association Campaign for Better Transport Asian Peoples Disabilities Alliance Joint Mobility Unit The LB of Bromley Residents Federation MIND Sixty Plus Disability Voice Bromley