Route 339 Monier Road

Proposed Changes to Bus Route 339 (Monier Road)

Consultation Report July 2019

Contents

Executive summary ...... 3 1. About the proposals ...... 5 2. About the consultation ...... 7 3. About the respondents ...... 10 4. Summary of all consultation responses ...... 12 5. Next steps ...... 17 Appendix A: Stakeholder List ...... 19 Appendix B: Copy of customer/resident letter ...... 20 Appendix C: Copy of stakeholder email………………………………………………...23

2 Executive summary

This document explains the processes, responses and outcomes of the consultation on changes to bus route 339 at Monier Road.

Between 22 March and 24 April 2019, we consulted on the following proposals:  Reroute the 339 between Wick Lane and Marshgate terrace via Monier Road and the newly built H14 bridge over the River Lee  No longer serve stops ‘OH’ and ‘E’ on Wansbeck Road, bus stop ‘C’ on Rothbury Road or bus stops ‘F’ and ‘D’ on White Post Lane. Instead the route would serve new stops on Monier Road and on the eastern approach to the bridge We received 92 responses to the consultation from the general public with 36% supporting or strongly supporting the proposals and 50% opposed or strongly opposed to the proposals. We received a further 2 responses from stakeholders of which one objected to the scheme. The main themes raised by respondents during the consultation are summarised below, with detailed analysis in Chapter 4. We have responded to the concerns raised in a separate report, Response to Main Issues Raised.

Summary of issues raised during consultation

The main issues raised fall into three broad categories:  Respondents expressed objections to the suitability of the new routeing. Concerns included reduced safety; increased air pollution; increased traffic; greater levels of noise; intrusive bus stops and the general inappropriateness of the road and bridge for use by buses  Concerns were expressed around the loss of connections to Hackney Wick including the station, White Post Lane and the jobs and businesses there. As well as the immediate loss of access, respondents also expressed concern over the resulting implication for alternative travel arrangements e.g. crowding on route 276  Concerns were expressed about the current bus service including suggestions to improve it. Examples included improving journey times; increasing bus frequencies; making other routeing changes to the 339 (or other routes) and converting the 339 to double deck operation.

Next steps The proposal will improve journey times for through passengers on route 339 making the bus more attractive as a method of transport. It will also improve access to Fish Island where significant new development is being built or planned to be built.

We are working with the London Borough (LB) Tower Hamlets and London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) to make Monier Road between Smeed Road and Roach Road bus only except for access. Together with the bridge being for use by pedestrians, cyclist and buses only, this will be an important contribution to the Healthy Streets agenda and we expect it to address the main objections that we received. We have provided LB Tower Hamlets with feedback from this consultation to inform the detailed design of the Monier Road highway scheme. LB Tower Hamlets will also undertake their own consultation on the Monier Road design to further inform the project.

We will proceed with the service change as consulted upon subject to the necessary highway changes being made to Monier Road. It is expected that the change will commence from January 2020.

4 1. About the proposals

1.1 Introduction

We keep the bus network under regular review in order to provide the best service possible in the most cost effective way.

We work closely with the LLDC and neighbouring Boroughs to support the regeneration of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to achieve the legacy that was envisioned for the area.

1.2 Purpose

A new bridge between Marshgate Terrace and Monier Road is being built as part of the regeneration of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This provides us with an opportunity to improve connectivity to Fish Island and reduce journey times on route 339 for through customers.

1.3 Detailed description

We proposed rerouteing the 339 between Marshgate Terrace and Wick Lane via Monier Road and the newly built bridge. New stops would be provided to give access to the local area including Hackney Wick. We are working with LLDC and LB Tower Hamlets to determine where the new stops will be, and welcomed any thoughts you may have as part of the consultation.

In addition to the new bridge, changes are required to Monier Road to allow buses to operate safely along the road and for bus stops to be installed. We are working alongside LB Tower Hamlets and LLDC to finalise the proposed road changes. LB Tower Hamlets will consult on these designs later in 2019.

The proposal will mean the 339 no longer serves bus stops ‘OH’ and ‘E’ on Wansbeck Road, bus stop ‘C’ on Rothbury Road or bus stops ‘F’ and ‘D’ on White Post Lane. Hackney Wick Station will continue to be served by route 276.

6 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 allow them to respond

 To understand the level of support or opposition for the change/s for the proposals

 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 Potential outcomes The potential outcomes of the consultation were:

 Following careful consideration of the consultation responses, we decide to proceed with the scheme as set out in the consultation

 Following careful consideration of the consultation responses, we modify the proposals in response to issues raised and proceed with a revised scheme

 Following careful consideration of the consultation responses, we decide not to proceed with the scheme

2.3 Who we consulted We wrote to residents, businesses and organisations in the immediate vicinity of the re-routed section.. We also consulted stakeholders including the LB Tower Hamlets, LB Hackney, LB Newham, London Travel Watch, Local Community Groups, Local Schools, Local Elected Representatives and Emergency Services.

2.4 Dates and duration The consultation was open for four weeks between 22 March and 24 April 2019.

7 2.5 What we asked The questionnaire asked 13 questions relating to respondent including equalities information:

 name  age  gender  email address  postcode  how the respondent was connected to the scheme (e.g. a local resident, commuter or visitor etc.)  organisation name (if responding on behalf of a business / stakeholder / organisation  ethnic group  sexual orientation  religious faith  whether the respondent had a health problem or disability which limited their day to day activities  views on the quality of the consultation  how the respondent found out about this consultation

There were five questions specific to the consultation which are summarised in chapter 4.

2.6 Methods of responding People were invited to respond to the consultation using a variety of methods. They could respond by accessing the online questionnaire; by using our freepost address at FREEPOST TFL CONSULTATIONS; or by emailing [email protected]

2.7 Consultation materials and publicity We sent out letters to local residents and businesses and wrote emails to relevant stakeholders informing them that the consultation had opened and inviting them to respond. We also contacted regular users of the route 339 on the day the consultation launched.

A copy of the letter that was sent to general public can be found in Appendix B.

A copy of the stakeholder email can be found in Appendix C.

8 2.7.1 Website The consultation was available on our consultation website https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/339-monier-road/ and provided detailed information about the consultation, including an overview map.

2.7.2 Letters We sent letters with a link to the online consultation page to businesses and residents within the area.

2.7.3 Emails to stakeholders We sent emails to relevant stakeholders, including representatives of LB Tower Hamlets, LB Hackney, LB Newham, London Travel Watch, Local Community Groups, Local Schools and Emergency Services directing them to the online consultation.

2.7.4 Meetings with stakeholders We carried out pre-engagement with LB Tower Hamlets and LLDC.

2.7.5 Bus Stop Notices We advertised the consultation on notices at bus stops OV, QS, OT, OU and OF on Wick Lane; stops OH and E on Wansbeck Road and stops C, D and F on Rothbury Road / White Post Lane.

2.8 Analysis of consultation responses The analysis of the consultation responses was carried out in-house.

There was one “open” question (seeking comments about the proposals). A draft coding frame was developed for responses to these questions.

9 3. About the respondents

This section contains a profile of the responses.

3.1 Number of respondents

Respondents Total % General public 92 98 Stakeholder responses 2 2 Total 94 100%

3.2 How respondents heard about the consultation Of the 92 public responses 81 answered this question. Receiving an email from TfL was the most common reason given.

How did you hear about this consultation? Option Total % Received an email from TfL 31 34 Received a letter from TfL 19 21 Read about in the press 0 0 Saw it on the TfL website 14 15 Social media 11 12 Other (please specify) 6 6 Not Answered 11 12 Total 92 100%

3.4 Profile of respondents We asked a number of questions to develop a profile of respondents, some of which are provided below.

What is your age group?

Age group Number of responses % Under 15 0 0 16-20 4 5 21-25 3 3 26-30 16 17

31-35 16 17

10 36-40 12 13

41-45 10 11 46-50 4 4 51-55 2 3 56-60 2 3 61-65 3 3 66-70 2 2 71+ 0 0 Not Answered/ prefer not to say 18 19 Total 92 100%

Are you male or female?

Option Total % Male 41 45 Female 31 34 Trans Male 1 1 Not Answered/ prefer not to say 19 20 Total 92 100%

Are your day-to-day activities limited because of a health problem or disability which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months? (Please include problems related to old age) Option Total % Yes a lot 0 0 Yes a little 8 9 No 63 69 Not Answered/ prefer not to say 21 22 Total 92 100%

11 4. Summary of all consultation responses

We received 92 responses from the general public. Their responses by each question are set out in section 4.1 to 4.5. Because of rounding, not all totals will amount to exactly 100 per cent. The two responses from stakeholders are included in section 4.6

4.1 Summary of Question 1 We asked respondents to tell us how often they use the bus route 339. 55 per cent of respondents use the bus at least weekly.

How often do you use route 339?

Option Total % Daily 15 16 2-3 times a week 23 25 Once a week 13 14 1-2 times a month 19 21 Rarely 10 11 Never 5 5 Not answered 7 7 Total 92 99%

Total 25

0 Daily 2-3 times a Once a 1-2 times a Rarely Never Not week week month Answered

12 4.2 Summary of Question 2 We asked respondents to tell us whether they supported our proposal for changes to the bus route 339. 35 per cent of respondents supported or strongly supported the proposals whereas 50 per cent opposed or strongly opposed.

Do you support our proposal to the changes of the bus route 339?

Option Total % Strongly support 11 12 Support 22 24 Neither support or oppose 13 14 Oppose 17 18 Strongly oppose 29 32 Not answered 0 0 Total 92 100%

Total 35

0 Strongly Support Neither Oppose Strongly Not support support or oppose answered oppose

13 4.3 Summary of Question 3

We asked respondents to tell us how the proposed changes will affect their journey. 28 per cent of respondents thought it would make it better and 30 per cent thought it would make it worse.

How will the proposed changes affect your journey?"

Option Total % Make it much better 7 7 Make it slightly better 19 21 No change 30 33 Make it slightly worse 12 13 Make it much worse 16 17 Not answered 8 9 Total 92 100%

Total 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Make it Make it No change Make it Make it Not much better slightly slightly much Answered better worse worse

14 4.4 Summary of Question 4

We asked respondents to tell us how important connectivity to and from the Fish Island community was. 33 per cent considered it important or very important.

How important is connectivity to and from the Fish Island community to you?

Option Total % Very important 16 17 Important 15 16 Neither important nor unimportant 20 22 Slightly important 4 4 Not important 28 30 Not answered 9 9 Total 92 98%

Total 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Very Important Neither Slightly Not Not important important important important Answered nor unimportant

4.5 Key themes raised by the general public

Question 5 asked respondents to provide any additional comments that they had on the proposals presented. The table below lists how the comments were coded. The majority of responses fall within three main themes:

15 A. Respondents expressed objections to the suitability of the new routeing. Concerns included reduced safety; increased air pollution; increased traffic; greater levels of noise; intrusive bus stops and the general inappropriateness of the road and bridge for use by buses B. Concerns were expressed around the loss of connections to Hackney Wick including the station, White Post Lane and the jobs and businesses there. As well as the immediate loss of access, respondents also expressed concern over the resulting implication for alternative travel arrangements e.g. crowding on route 276 C. Concerns were expressed about the current bus service including suggestions to improve it. Examples included improving journey times; increasing bus frequencies; making other routeing changes to the 339 (or other routes) and converting the 339 to double deck operation. Our responses to the comments that were raised can be found in our ‘Responses to Issues Raised’ document.

Comments Frequency Concern: Concern the bridge is not safe 2 Concern: Maintaining frequency of 15 mins 2 Concern: Only bus that connects Hackney Wick & Stratford directly 2 Concern: Bridge is unnecessary 2 Concern: Monier Road is too small for a bus route 11

Concern: Concern about air pollution and extra noise on Monier Road 26 Concern: Concerns of pressure on bus 276 5 Concern: Loss of connection to Hackney Overground 21 Concern: Poor access to local businesses 7 Concern: Safety concerns over children going to local schools along Monier Road 6 Concern: Increased traffic 17 Suggestion: Bridge must be bus, pedestrian and cycle only 2 Suggestion: Increase the frequency of the 339 1 Suggestion: Request for a double decker 3

4.6 Summary of stakeholder responses This section provides summaries of the feedback we received from stakeholders.

The Yard Theatre

I run a community centre attended by many young people in Hackney Wick. Many of them use the 339 home and rerouting would cause much difficultly.

16 We are currently pretty unconnected by bus, the mode of transport most young people use, and this would have a big effect on our accessibility.

I would like to object to the proposal.

London Borough of Hackney

I write in response to the proposal to divert route 339 over Monier Road bridge.

Whilst the Council raises no objection as the benefits of using new infrastructure are evident we would point out that this does make the Hackney Wick area less accessible for some residents and workers.

Given this scenario we would welcome a discussion on enhancing bus routes and connectivity in the area generally given its regeneration and increasing popularity (including in the evenings and at weekends). This is especially important given the crowding issues currently being experienced on London Overground with a temporary timetable which causes acute problems in the peaks.

5. Next steps

It is recognised that of those responding around 50% objected to the proposal to reroute the 339 via Monier Road.

However a key reason for objecting related to concerns around Monier Road being suitable for a bus route. We are working with LB Tower Hamlets and LLDC to make Monier Road between Smeed Road and Roach Road bus only except for access. Together with the bridge being for use by pedestrians, cyclist and buses only, this will be an important contribution to the Healthy Streets agenda and we expect it to address the main objections that we received. We have provided LB Tower Hamlets with feedback from this consultation to inform the detailed design of the Monier Road highway scheme. LB Tower Hamlets will also undertake their own consultation on the Monier Road design to further inform the project.

The proposal will improve journey times for through passengers on route 339 making the bus more attractive as a method of transport. It will also improve access to Fish Island where significant new development is being built or planned to be built. For those travelling to/from Hackney Wick the 339 will remain within an acceptable walking distance for many and the 276 and London Overground will also provide alternative ways for people to complete their journey.

17 We will proceed with the service change as consulted upon subject to the necessary highway changes being made to Monier Road. It is expected that the change will commence from January 2020.

18 Appendix A: Who we consulted

Local Authorities

London Borough of Tower Hamlet London Borough of Hackney London Borough of Newham London Legacy Development Corporation

Transport groups

London TravelWatch London Cycling Campaign Living Streets

Elected Members Jennette Arnold AM Assembly Member: Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest Unmesh Desai AM Assembly Member: Barking & Dagenham, City of London, Newham, Tower Hamlets Lyn Brown MP West Ham Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP East Ham Rushanara Ali MP Bethnal Green and Bow Jim Fitzpatrick MP Poplar and Limehouse Meg Hillier MP Hackney South and Shoreditch Mayor John Biggs Tower Hamlets Cllr David Edgar Tower Hamlets: Cabinet Member for Environment Cabinet Member for Air Quality & Regeneration (Bow East Cllr Rachel Blake Ward Councillor) Cllr Amina Ali Tower Hamlets: Bow East Cllr Marc Francis Tower Hamlets: Bow East Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz Newham Cllr Rachel Tripp Cabinet Member for Environment Cllr Zulfiqar Ali Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport & Highways Mayor Phillip Glanville Hackney Cllr Feryal Demirci Deputy Mayor for Health, Social Care, Transport and Parks Cllr Christopher Kennedy Hackney: Hackney Wick Cllr Nick Sharman Hackney: Hackney Wick Cllr Jessica Webb Hackney: Hackney Wick

Organisations NHS Newham CCG NHS Tower Hamlets CCG Whizz-Kidz Transport for All Tower Hamlets Wheelers Tower Hamlets Community Transport Metropolitan Police - Community Police Tower Hamlets Safer Transport Team Waltham Forest Safer Transport Team Met Police: Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, Newham London Ambulance North East: Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham, Newham, Tower Hamlets, City of London, Hackney London Ambulance Emergency Planning Team London Fire Brigade Service Schools Bobby Moore Academy Chobham Academy Other Stratford Original BID Mossbourne Riverside Copper Box Here East West Ham United FC Westfield Shopping Centre The Trampery Peabody Hill

20 Appendix B: Copy of customer/resident Letter

22 Appendix C: Copy of stakeholder email

Dear stakeholder

Re: Proposed changes to route 339

We are proposing to make changes to route 339 in the Fish Island area. These changes make use of the new bridge being installed between Marshgate Terrace and Monier Road, and will improve connectivity to Fish Island and reduce journey times for through customers.

We are proposing to reroute the 339 between Marshgate Terrace and Wick Lane via Monier Road and the newly built bridge. New stops will be provided to give access to the local area including Hackney Wick. We are working with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to determine where the new stops will be, and welcome any thoughts you may have as part of the consultation.

In addition to the new bridge, changes are required to Monier Road to allow buses to operate safely along the road and for bus stops to be installed. We are working alongside the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and the LLDC to finalise the proposed road changes. The London Borough of Tower Hamlets will consult on these designs later in 2019.

Please see the map below for information.

We will collate all responses to the consultation before reporting on the findings and making a decision in Summer 2019.

We would like to know what you think about our proposals. From today – 22 March – you can let us know your views online at:  https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/339-monier-road/ Or, you can write to us at FREEPOST TFL CONSULTATIONS or email us on [email protected]. Please let us know your views by 24 April 2019.

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.

Yours faithfully

Daniel Quinton-Navarro Local Communities & Partnerships team Transport for London