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 Catford – 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.