Consultation on proposed changes to bus routes 289 and 455 Consultation Report July 2017 Contents Executive summary ..................................................................................................... 4 Summary of issues raised during consultation ......................................................... 4 Next steps ................................................................................................................ 4 1. About the proposals ............................................................................................ 5 1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 5 1.2 Purpose .......................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Detailed description ........................................................................................ 5 2. About the consultation ........................................................................................ 7 2.1 Purpose .......................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Potential outcomes ......................................................................................... 7 2.4 Who we consulted .......................................................................................... 7 2.5 Dates and duration ......................................................................................... 7 2.6 What we asked ............................................................................................... 7 2.7 Methods of responding ................................................................................... 8 2.8 Consultation materials and publicity ............................................................... 8 2.10 Analysis of consultation responses ............................................................. 9 3. About the respondents ...................................................................................... 10 3.1 Number of respondents ................................................................................ 10 3.2 How respondents heard about the consultation (public respondents) .......... 10 3.3 Methods of responding (public respondents) ............................................... 10 4. Summary of all consultation responses ............................................................ 11 4.1 Summary of responses to Question 1 and 2 ................................................ 11 4.2 Summary of responses to Question 3 .......................................................... 11 4.3 Summary of responses to Question 4 .......................................................... 12 4.4 Summary of responses to Question 5 .......................................................... 12 4.5 Issues commonly raised ............................................................................... 13 4.6 Summary of stakeholder responses ............................................................. 13 4.7 Comments on the consultation ..................................................................... 16 5. Next steps ......................................................................................................... 16 Appendix A: Consultation materials .......................................................................... 17 2 Appendix B: Main issues raised ................................................................................ 23 Appendix C: List of stakeholders consulted ............................................................... 25 3 Executive summary Between 24 January and 7 March 2017, we consulted on proposals to remove the double run in both directions for routes 289 and 455 at Waddon Marsh, and the double run southbound for route 289 into Croydon Colonnades. We received 267 responses to the consultation (including seven responses from stakeholders). Of the 260 public responses: 45 per cent supported or strongly supported the proposed removal of the double run for route 289 at Croydon Colonnades, 23 per cent neither supported nor opposed the change, while 30 per cent opposed or strongly opposed the proposal. Three per cent didn’t answer 37 per cent supported or strongly supported the proposed removal of the double run for route 289 at Waddon Marsh, nine per cent neither supported nor opposed the change, while 52 per cent opposed or strongly opposed the proposal. Three per cent didn’t answer 31 per cent supported or strongly supported the proposed removal of the double run for route 455 at Waddon Marsh, 26 per cent neither supported nor opposed the change, while 40 per cent opposed or strongly opposed the proposal. Three per cent didn’t answer Summary of issues raised during consultation Concerned that the removal of the double run at Waddon Marsh would be inconvenient for customers, especially those with reduced mobility, wishing to use the shops at the Purley Centre, the Waddon Marsh tram stop, as well as for residents of New South Quarter Concerned that there were no safe crossing facilities at Waddon Marsh to allow customers to cross Purley Way Felt that the time savings made did not justify the inconvenience for customers Felt that proposed changes were sensible and generally supported proposals Commented that routes 289 and 455 are both unreliable and should have an increase in frequency Next steps After considering all of the responses, we have decided to go ahead with the scheme as proposed. In addition, route 455 will serve stop H northbound on Purley Way. 4 1. About the proposals 1.1 Introduction The London bus network is kept under regular review. As part of this, we develop proposals for changes to services. Consultation was undertaken on proposals to make some changes to route 289 at Waddon Marsh and Croydon Colonnades, and route 455 at Waddon Marsh. 1.2 Purpose We proposed the changes in order to reduce journey times and increase reliability on routes 289 and 455. 1.3 Detailed description Route 289 operates between Elmers End station and Purley station. Route 455 runs between Purley and Wallington station. At Waddon Marsh, routes 289 and 455 currently run in a loop via Trafalgar Way and Drury Crescent in both directions. In addition, route 289 runs into Croydon Colonnades in the southbound direction only. To reduce journey times and improve reliability, we proposed removing both of these ‘double runs’ so that routes 289 and 455 would run directly along Purley Way at these locations instead. We estimate that the changes at Waddon Marsh would save about three minutes of journey time each for routes 289 and 455, and altering route 289 at Croydon Colonnades would save around one minute. At busy times, the time savings could be greater, as buses attempting to access Purley Way from both Waddon Marsh and Croydon Colonnades can experience long delays due to congestion. Avoiding Waddon Marsh would mean that routes 289 and 455 no longer serve two bus stops – Waddon Marsh Tram Stop and The Purley Way Centre – in both directions. Passengers would have to walk about 200 metres to existing stops on Purley Way. Removing the southbound double run for route 289 at Croydon Colonnades would mean that the route would no longer serve The Colonnades/Croydon Airport bus stop. Passengers would need to walk 90 metres to Purley Way, where a new southbound bus stop would be provided. 5 There would be no changes to the frequency of either route as a result of these proposals. 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 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 Our conclusion and next steps are set out in Section 5. 2.4 Who we consulted We sought the views of customers currently using route 289 and 455, as well as local businesses in the Waddon Marsh and Croydon Colonnades areas. We also consulted stakeholders including the London Boroughs of Croydon and Sutton, London TravelWatch, local politicians, and local resident and community groups. A full list of the stakeholders consulted can be found in Appendix C. 2.5 Dates and duration This was a six week consultation which ran between 24 January and 7 March 2017. 2.6 What we asked The questionnaire asked six generic questions relating to name, email address, postcode, organisation name (if responding on behalf of a business/stakeholder/organisation), how they had heard about the consultation, and 7 views on the quality of the consultation (respondents were asked two questions on the quality: to rate in a scale from very good to very poor; and to provide any comments). There were six questions specific to the consultation: How often do you use route 289? (Respondents were given a choice of six answers: Daily, 2-3 days a week, once