Is Anybody Listening?

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500 people sign petition against proposed new bus route

A local campaign group is calling on the council to block a proposed new bus route which they say will destroy their neighbourhood.

The Save Our Streets group says Transport for London appears determined to go ahead with its proposals to introduce the 228 bus, routing it down Steventon Road and Bryony Road and bringing an end to traffic-calming measures in the area.  

“We started off happy to talk to TfL, but TfL have exhibited zero commitment to listening to local people. They are going to force this route through,” Chris Underwood of Save Our Streets told ShepherdsBushW12.com.

Transport for London say the 228 route, which would run between Central Middlesex Hospital and Harrow Road, was developed in partnership with H&F council and RBK&C, to meet a long-standing request for new transport links in the area.

But Save Our Streets, whose petition against the bus has been signed by 500 residents, say TfL’s consultation into the route was “flawed”. They say the questionnaire failed to ask them whether they actually wanted the new bus – a question which usually appears on other such consultations.

“Steventon Road is already served by buses at both ends (the 260 and the 283) which go to the same destination,” said Underwood. “You are luxuriously provided for if you live on Steventon Road.”

The group says the removal of traffic-calming measures, to fit the bus through, would open Steventon Road up to all sorts of large vehicles. Although TfL has the power to impose the route, they would need the council's permission to make the necessary alterations to the road.

Shepherd's Bush MP Andy Slaughter says he has held meetings with residents and London Buses on the matter: "I have tried to broker a solution that is acceptable to all parties,” he said. "London Buses are now looking at three possible routes.”

Shaun Bailey, the Conservative Candidate for Hammersmith, meanwhile, says he has written to the Mayor of London, TfL and H&F: “I have written to the council asking them to support the local campaign group,” he told ShepherdsBushW12.com. “They didn’t just moan, they came up with a viable alternative and gave reasons. Opening up the road to new vehicles is ridiculous. 500 people signing a petition is very significant and I personally haven’t come across a single person who says they want the bus. The campaign group is passionate and organised and I want people to give them a decent hearing.”

Save Our Streets say they now need the council behind them. They say their petition has been accepted by Council Leader Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh and that they are due to meet Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Nicholas Botterill, on 14 August.

“Although, TfL’s consultation has now finished, the council is still very keen to hear what residents think about the proposed route for the 228. There are two sides to this story and I do understand why some residents favour the new route while some are opposed. That is why the council is in listening mode before we lobby TfL," said Cllr Botterill.

None of the three Wormholt and White City councillors were available for comment.

Transport for London would not be drawn on how or whether they intend to respond to local concerns: “The consultation on proposed route 228 closed at the end of July and we are currently going through the responses and analysing them," a TfL spokesperson said. “We don’t agree that the consultation was flawed."

But Save Our Streets say they have given up on TfL: “It is clear what their agenda is,” said Underwood. “If the council doesn’t back us, we are not going to give up. We will make it an issue at the general election.”

10 August 2008