Consultation on possible changes to bus route U5 Consultation Report September 2015 Consultation on possible changes to bus route U5 Consultation Report 2 Contents 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 4 2 The consultation ................................................................................................ 5 3 Overview of consultation responses ................................................................. 7 4 Responses from members of the public ............................................................ 9 5 Responses from statutory bodies and other stakeholders .............................. 10 6 Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 10 Appendix A – Copy of the consultation material ....................................................... 11 Appendix B – All issues raised for Question 8 .......................................................... 15 Appendix C – List of stakeholders consulted ............................................................ 16 3 1 Introduction Transport for London conducted a six week public consultation between the 17 July and 14 August 2015 on proposals to extend route U5. The proposals would make it more convenient for passengers to travel between West Drayton, Uxbridge and a new supermarket, now open at Fairer Corner, Hayes. Route U5 currently runs between Uxbridge station and Hayes & Harlington station serving Hillingdon Hospital, West Drayton Station and Stockley Park estate. It was proposed that the route be extended from its current terminus at Hayes and Harlington station along Station Road to Fairey Corner and the new supermarket, where a new bus stand facility has been created as part of the development. Members of the public and stakeholders were invited to give their views either by filling in the questionnaire online or by responding via post or email. Letters were sent to those living near to the proposed new terminus. This document summarises their responses to the consultation. A separate document contains our responses to the main issues raised in the consultation. The consultation generated 97 responses from members of the public. There were no responses received from any stakeholders. Subject to the comments put forward in this consultation it is intended that the proposals are introduced from 26 September 2015. 4 2 The consultation The consultation was designed to enable TfL to understand opinion about the proposed changes 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 Who we consulted The public consultation intended to seek the views of people who live near to the proposed route, current users of the service and other potential users. We also consulted stakeholders including the affected local Council, 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. 2.3 Consultation material, distribution and publicity The consultation was published online where a dedicated webpage included the details and background to the proposal. We raised awareness of the consultation by sending a targeted email to 3,935 registered Oyster Card holders who are existing users of route U5. We also sent an email to key stakeholders. We wrote to 779 properties near to the proposed extension. In addition to the emails and letters sent, we displayed notices at bus stops and other locations along the proposed extension. The notices provided information on the proposal alongside a map, and how to respond. Copies of the consultation material are shown in Appendix A. 2.4 What questions did we ask in the consultation? We asked eight questions (five general and three specific). Of the general questions we asked respondents for their name, email address, postcode and if they were responding on behalf of an organisation. There were two closed questions (questions 6-7), and one open question (question 8). 5 The following three closed questions specifically asked respondents about the scheme: Question 6: Do you currently use route U5? Question 7: Are you in favour of our proposals to extend route U5? The following open question specifically asked respondents about the scheme: Question 8: Do you have any further comments relating to our proposal for route U5? 6 3 Overview of consultation responses 3.1 How people heard about the consultation We issued an email to 3,935 people with registered Oyster Cards who use route U5. 70 people responded as a result of the email. Four respondents had heard about the consultation through other means, with two specifying they read about it from posters placed along the extension. How did you hear about this consultation? 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Read Received Received Saw it on Read Other about it Not an email a letter the TfL about it in (please on social Answered from TfL from TfL website the press specify) media Number of replies 700114 1 4 7 3.2 How people responded How people responded Email Webpage 7% 93% 3.3 Where did people respond from? (postcode analysis) We asked respondents to provide a postcode. 84 people responded to this question. The map overleaf, illustrates plotted postcodes mapped against their level of support for the proposed changes. 7 2.5 Where did people respond from? (postcode analysis) 8 4 Responses from members of the public We received 97 responses from members of the public. Do you currently use route U5? 87 respondents answered this question. 84% (81) of the respondents indicated that they currently use route U5, while 6% said they did not. Do you use route U5? 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Yes No Not Answered Number of replies 81 6 10 Are you in favour of our proposals to extend route U5? 94 respondents answered this question. The majority of respondents indicated that they are in favour of extending the service; with 92% (89) of the respondents stating that they support the proposed extension and 1% (1) stating opposition. 3% (3) of the respondents were partially in favour of the scheme – usually on condition of other changes. Are you in favour of our proposals for route U5? 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Not Yes No Partially Not sure No opinion Answered Total 8913013 9 Do you have any further comments? We also asked for any comments on the proposals. There were 17 overarching themes. The full list of issues and themes is provided in Appendix B. The table below indicates the top five issues raised. Number of Top five issues and themes comments Positive comment: Agree with proposal / good idea 34 Positive comment: Great help for shoppers and workers at shop 20 General comment: Change vehicle type / size 4 General comment: Good idea but may make route substantially busier 3 General comment: Increase frequency 3 5 Responses from statutory bodies and other stakeholders We received no response from any statutory bodies or stakeholders with regards to this proposal. 6 Conclusion The responses show that route U5 remains popular for those wanting to connect between Uxbridge station, Hayes & Harlington station, Hillingdon Hospital, West Drayton Station and Stockley Park estate. Many respondents commented on the value of the current service and that extending it to the new supermarket would further enhance the attractiveness of route. The responses from consultations are used to inform our decision making and final planning. We have listened to the views expressed in this consultation and will continue to monitor usage and capacity on the route to ensure they meet the demands placed upon them. The majority of respondents were in support of our proposal. It is intended that the extended route start from 26 September 2015. 10 Appendix A – Copy of the consultation material A1 - Bus stop poster 11 A2 – Copy of the email issued to registered Oyster Card holders A3 – Copy of the email sent to statutory bodies and stakeholders 12 A4 - Copy of the dedicated consultation web page https://consultaitons.tfl.gov.uk/buses/route-u5 13 A5 - Copy of the letter delivered to properties near to the extension 14 Appendix B – All issues raised for Question 8 Number of Issues and themes raised comments Service related comments: (Vehicle size, frequency, capacity etc.). Change vehicle type / size 4 Good idea but may make route substantially busier 3 Increase frequency 3 Introduce night service 1 Make U4 & U5 interwork better 1 U4: More services on this route at school times 2 Negative comments Negative comment: Against because already made mind up 1 Negative comment: Against because already put sign on bus stop 1 General comments Buses should serve stop in street beside shop 2 New bus stop should not hold traffic up 2 Passengers should be able to get off at stand 1 Question: Turnaround point? 1 Not Answered