Consultation on Possible Changes to Bus Route 224
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Consultation on possible changes to bus route 224 Consultation Report April 2015 1 2 Consultation on possible changes to bus route 224 Consultation Report 3 Contents 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 2 2 The consultation ............................................................................................................. 2 3 Responses from members of the public ......................................................................... 3 4 Responses from statutory bodies and other stakeholders .............................................. 7 Appendices Appendix A – Copy of the consultation letter ...................................................................... 10 Appendix B – Letter distribution area .................................................................................. 11 Appendix C – List of stakeholders consulted ...................................................................... 15 1 1 Introduction Transport for London recently consulted stakeholders and the public about a proposal to reroute route 224 in the Park Royal area. The consultation took place from 11 November to 23 December 2014 Route 224 operates between Wembley Stadium Station and St. Raphael’s. We are proposing to alter the route in the Park Royal area between Abbey Road and the Central Middlesex Hospital so that it runs via Twyford Abbey Road, Bodiam Way, Lakeside Drive and Coronation Road in both directions, using a bus gate on Twyford Abbey Road. This is subject to the London Borough of Ealing introducing the necessary traffic order to allow the bus gate to be opened and used. These changes will improve transport links to an expanding area of Park Royal. As part of the new routing, we are proposing to install two new eastbound bus stops and one new westbound bus stop for route 224 on Twyford Abbey Road. One eastbound stop would be located opposite 100 Twyford Abbey Road, and the other would be sited opposite Indigo House. The westbound stop would be located opposite West Twyford Primary School after the junction with Abbeyfields Close. The new bus stops would be served in addition to the existing bus stops on Twyford Abbey Road, Bodiam Way, Lakeside Drive and Coronation Road. Following this restructuring, the route would no longer serve Iveagh Avenue, Rainsford Road, Whitby Avenue, Abbey Road (between Twyford Abbey Road and Coronation Road), Western Road, Park Royal Road and the Asda internal road. However route 440 (Stonebridge Park – Gunnersbury) will continue to run along Abbey Road, Western Road, Park Royal Road and the Asda internal road. This report explains the background to the proposal, the consultation and summarises the responses. It will contribute to the decision on whether to go ahead with this proposed change or not. 2 The consultation The consultation was designed to enable TfL to understand local opinion about the proposed changes to route 224. The potential outcomes of the consultation are: We decide the consultation raises no issues that should prevent us from proceeding with the scheme as originally planned. We modify the scheme in response to issues raised in consultation. We abandon the scheme as a result of issues raised in the consultation. 2.1 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. 2 2.2 Who we consulted The consultation intended to seek the views of people who use the bus routes involved and those who might potentially use the service. We also consulted stakeholders including the affected Councils, traffic police, London TravelWatch, Members of Parliament, Assembly Members and local interest groups. A list of the stakeholders we consulted is shown in Appendix B and a summary of their responses is given in Section 4. 2.3 Consultation material, distribution and publicity The consultation was published online. The dedicated webpage explained the background to the proposal. We invited people to respond by answering a number of questions and leaving comments. We raised awareness of the consultation by sending an email to approximately 5,600 registered Oyster Card holders who have used route 224, and to key stakeholders. We also wrote to approximately 1,200 local residents and businesses. Copies of the consultation materials are shown in Appendix A. People were invited to respond to the consultation using a variety of methods. They could respond via our freepost address (FREEPOST TFL CONSULTATIONS), by emailing [email protected] or by accessing the online consultation where they could let us know their views. 3 Responses from members of the public We received 119 responses from members of the public. There were 113 responses via the website, four via email and two by letter. 3.1 Public consultation results To help us understand more about who replied and their thoughts on the route and proposal, we asked a number of questions; We asked respondents whether they currently use route 224. Do you use route 224? 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Yes No Not answered Total Number of replies 83 30 6 119 % of total 70 25 5 100 3 Respondents were asked to give us their views on our proposals for route 224. Are you in favour of this proposal for route 224? 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 No Not Yes No Partially Not sure Total opinion answered Number of replies 47 53 11 3 2 3 119 % of total 39459323100 We also asked respondents if they supported the introduction of new bus stops on Twyford Abbey Road. Are you in favour of the introduction of new bus stops on Twyford Abbey Road? 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Not Not No Yes No Partially answer Total sure opinion ed Number of replies 41 40 12 10 11 5 119 % of total 34 33 10 8 9 5 100 4 3.2 Additional comments Respondents were given the opportunity to provide further comments. Of the 119 responses, there were 84 additional comments about the changes to route 224, 64 comments regarding the introduction of new bus stops on Twyford Abbey Road, and 57 comments on our overall proposals. The tables below summarise the views and suggestions made. A separate document will respond to the main points raised by respondents. Number Comments and suggestions of times raised Generally supportive The proposal is a good idea 14 The new route will be less complicated 5 The proposals will reduce journey times 4 The proposal will improve links to local stations and 3 Wembley town centre A new stop outside the primary school will improve access 2 for pupils Few people use the bus stop on Iveagh Avenue 1 This will provide an additional service to complement the 1 226 Twyford Abbey Road is in need of better bus connections. 1 This will improve access to new homes and jobs at the 1 First Central development This will provide a needed extra service to the Diageo site 1 Generally against Removing the bus gate width restriction will mean faster 21 running traffic and a greater number of heavy vehicles using Twyford Abbey Road Removing the width restriction will compromise the safety 20 of pupils at West Twyford Primary School Having stops close to the school entrance is an obstruction 15 and potential safety risk This change is unnecessary as the proposed new route is 12 already covered by route 226 The proposal will increase congestion on Twyford Abbey 9 Road The new route will be longer and take more time 6 It will be dangerous having buses run past the primary 6 school The two new stops outside Indigo House and the primary 5 school are unnecessary as there are two existing stops close by on Bodiam Way Monitoring the bus gate with CCTV will be insufficient to 4 stop vehicles illegally using it This change will adversely affect the quality of life for local 4 residents. Twyford Abbey Road is already congested with parked 4 cars and new stops will make this worse 5 The heavy traffic on Coronation Road will delay this 2 service The new stop at the east end of Twyford Abbey Road will 2 increase congestion and cause delays Removing parts of a bus route is not a good idea. 1 The new parking restriction opposite Elveden Road will 1 reduce car parking and create a waiting area for lorries The change will disadvantage school users 1 This section of Twyford Abbey Road is not wide enough for 1 buses on both sides plus all the other traffic Existing service/reliability Route 224 should continue to serve Iveagh Avenue 9 Route 224 should continue to serve Asda internal road 8 Increase the frequency of route 226 7 Increase the frequency of route 224 3 In favour of route 224 no longer serving the Asda internal 3 road Buses on route 224 are always late 1 Increase the frequency of route 440 1 Buses in Brent are filthy 1 Where will pupils get picked up and dropped off by car? 1 Where will the 'school trip' bus park without causing an 1 obstruction? The proposal doesn’t address the delays to route 224 1 caused by the major traffic problem on Brentfield Road Routeing suggestions Route 224 should serve Stonebridge Park Station 3 Make the recent temporary routing of route 224 between 2 Harlesden Station via Jubilee Clock, Craven Park & Knatchbull Road permanent Extend route 224 to Wembley Park 1 Introduce a new bus route instead of changing the 224 1 Route 224 should bypass Central Middlesex Hospital and 1 serve the bus stops on Acton Lane and Abbey Road Why can't the 224 split with the 226 at Coronation Road to 1 serve the new development and then rejoin at Bodiam way.