The Strand / Aldwych changes to bus stopping arrangements Consultation Report August 2021 Contents 1. Summary of consultation responses ................................................................... 1 1.1 Summary of responses to Question 1 ............................................................ 1 1.2 Summary of Question 2 ................................................................................. 3 1.3 Summary of Question 3 ................................................................................. 4 1.4 Summary of Question 4 ................................................................................. 5 1.5 Summary of Question 5 ................................................................................. 6 1.6 Summary of Question 6 ................................................................................. 6 1.7 Stakeholder responses .................................................................................. 7 2. About the consultation ........................................................................................ 7 2.1 Purpose .......................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Potential outcomes ......................................................................................... 8 2.3 Consultation history ........................................................................................ 8 2.4 Who we consulted .......................................................................................... 9 2.5 Dates and duration ......................................................................................... 9 2.6 What we asked ............................................................................................. 10 2.7 Methods of responding ................................................................................. 10 2.8 Equalities Assessment ................................................................................. 10 2.9 Analysis of consultation responses .............................................................. 10 3. About the respondents ...................................................................................... 11 3.1 Number of respondents ................................................................................ 11 3.2 How respondents heard about the consultation ........................................... 11 3.3 Methods of responding ................................................................................. 11 3.4 Who responded ............................................................................................ 12 3.6 Comments on the consultation process and material ...................................... 12 4. Next steps ......................................................................................................... 14 Appendix A: Detailed analysis of comments ............................................................. 15 Appendix B: Consultation questions .......................................................................... 16 Appendix C: Consultation letter/leaflet ...................................................................... 21 Appendix D: Summary of Stakeholder replies ........................................................... 23 Appendix E: List of stakeholders consulted with ....................................................... 25 Appendix F: Response to issues raised .................................................................... 29 Executive Summary As a result of the City of Westminster’s redevelopment of the Strand and Aldwych, we consulted on changes to bus routes and bus stops that needed to change as a result of the highway changes. The consultation was open between the 24 September and 5 November 2020. We received 145 to the consultation, 140 from members of the public and 5 from stakeholders. The majority of respondents told us that the proposals would not make any difference to their journeys. Also, that the changes would not prevent them from using the bus network. We are aware that the new location of bus stops will impact on some passenger journeys and we have mitigated these where possible. There will also be people who benefit from shorter walks to bus stops as a result of the changes. Next steps The works on the Strand and in the surrounding areas are well underway. We are reacting to the changes by re-routing and changing bus stop locations. Dates for these changes are dependent on the wider works taking place. We will monitor the impact of the changes on passenger journeys and keep under review bus stop locations and buses serving the stops. 1. Summary of consultation responses We received 145 responses to consultation; 140 from members of the public and five from stakeholders. Chapter 3 summarises the demographic information about our respondents. In order to more clearly show the numbers of people who had a view on the aspect of the proposal, the graphs and tables in the sections 1.1 to 1.6 do not include numbers for those who did not answer each question. 1.1 Summary of responses to Question 1 The first question asked respondents which of the bus routes passing through Aldwych they used and how often. The charts below show the responses to this question – day and night routes have been seperated out for ease of viewing. 1 Which of these bus routes do you use and how often - day routes? 100% 90% 38% 80% 41% 43% 44% 46% 45% 49% 53% 55% 70% 58% 63% 61% 62% 66% 66% 70% 76% 60% Less 3-4 times a month 50% 27% 2-3 times a week 4-5 times a week 21% 23% 25% 33% Daily 40% 31% 19% 32% 21% 21% 30% 16% 15% 11% 20% 17% 19% 21% 16% 10% 13% 8% 20% 13% 8% 20% 11% 16% 7% 11% 13% 15% 9% 12% 7% 15% 2% 9% 13% 10% 13% 10% 8% 5% 4% 0% 4% 2% 4% 13% 2% 4% 5% 9% 9% 7% 7% 6% 7% 6% 6% 7% 3% 4% 4% 5% 5% 4% 3% 0% 0% 0% 1 6 9 11 15 59 68 76 87 91 168 172 188 243 341 521 X68 Figure 1a – Question 1: Which of these bus routes do you use and how often – day routes? 2 Which of these bus routes do you use and how often - night routes? 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 85% 88% Less 90% 89% 92% 93% 94% 95% 95% 3-4 times a month 97% 97% 97% 97% 97% 50% 100% 2-3 times a week 4-5 times a week Daily 40% 30% 20% 5% 10% 7% 2% 5% 5% 0% 5% 0% 0% 5% 3% 2% 3% 3% 7% 6% 0% 5% 0% 0% 0% 2% 3% 3% 2% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% N1 N9 N11 N15 N21 N26 N44 N68 N87 N89 N91 N155N199N550N551 Figure 2b – Question 1: Which of these bus routes do you use and how often – night routes? 1.2 Summary of Question 2 Question 2 asked respondents what type of journey they made through the area. 136 people answered this question – they could choose more than one option. 3 What is your journey type in the area? 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Travel through the Change to another Start and finish Change buses area on the same transport choice bus Total 77 55 18 51 Figure 2 – Question 2: What is your journey type in the area? 1.3 Summary of Question 3 The third question asked respondents about the impact the changes would have on their journey. 137 people answered this question. The largest number of people (32%) thought the changes would make no difference, whereas 30% thought it would make their journey slower and 25% didn’t know. Will the changes make your journey... 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Slower Faster Make no difference Don’t know. Total 41 18 44 34 % 30% 13% 32% 25% Figure 3 – Question 3: What effect will the changes have on your journey? 4 1.4 Summary of Question 4 Question 4 asked if the changes would prevent respondents from using the bus network. 137 people answered this question. Most people (69%) felt they wouldn’t be prevented from using the network. Will the changes prevent you from using the bus network? 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Yes No Don't know Total 19 95 23 % 14% 69% 17% Figure 3 – Question 4: Will the changes prevent you from using the bus network? The question went on to ask if those who felt the changes would prevent them from using the bis network would consider walking or cycling instead. The responses were as follows: If yes, would you consider using other transport options such as Total Walking 18 Cycling 6 Table 1 – Question 4: If yes, would you consider using other transport options? 1.4.1 Issues commonly raised Respondents could go on to give details as to why they would not be able to use the buses in the area. The main issues raised are listed below. Concern Concern about increased walking distances to stops 10 Concern that things will be more difficult for disabled/less mobile passengers 7 Concern that new road layout will increase congestion/bus journey times 5 5 Concern that changes will make commuting into London less viable 2 Other comment Comments about the wider WCC proposals 3 Bus frequency/reliability comment 2 Table 2 – Question 4: If yes, why would you not be able to use buses in the area? 1.5 Summary of Question 5 The fifth question asked respondents what ticket or payment method they used for their bus journeys. 137 people answered this question. Most respondents (62%) used an Oyster card with the next largest group (23%) using contactless payment. Do you currently use: 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 A disabled persons An oyster card A senior freedom pass Contactless card freedom pass Total 85 16 4 32 % 62% 12% 3% 23% Figure 5 – Question 5: What ticket/payment method do you use for your bus journeys? 1.6 Summary of Question 6 The sixth question gave respondents the opportunity to let us know their views on the proposals. 99 people responded to this question 1.6.1 Issues