Today, Julia Lopez MP has written to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to in relation to his recent announcements on bus services in outer-London.
As the Mayor looks to expand the ULEZ against the wishes of a majority of Londoners, it is more important than ever that outer-London has a public transport network that is a viable alternative to the use of a private vehicle. Julia is concerned that the proposed amendments to local bus routes 346, 347 and 497 clearly do not represent an overall improvement to bus services in Havering, resulting in a reduction of bus frequency on one existing route and a total loss of services to some. To add insult to injury, the recently launched Superloop service does not even call within any part of the London Borough of Havering.
In her written submission to the Mayor, Julia included comments that were received from constituents in response to the proposals, many of whom have highlighted how they will be adversely impacted by the withdrawal of the 347 route and the proposed merging of the 346 with the extended 497.
After reflecting on the feedback from constituents and local activists, Julia has made the following observations on the routes under consideration. Julia is supportive of your proposals to extend the existing 497 route from Harold Wood Station to Upminster. This is a welcome step within the Mayor’s proposals which will, as stated in the consultation materials, open new journeys to residents at either end of the newly proposed route. However, Julia does not support the proposed routing of this service through Upminster Park, Moor Lane, St. Mary’s Lane before looping back to Upminster station. This routing is predicated upon the removal of the 346 bus route with the proposed extension to the 497 effectively replacing this service. This would be reasonable were services to the Cathedral Estate and to the east of Front Lane not also being removed via the withdrawal of the 347 route - without any proposed replacement service.
Instead, Julia proposed that TfL consider the following amendments to the bus routes:
497
The route be extended south of its existing terminus of Harold Wood station along the route of the existing 347, terminating at Ockendon Station.
346
Route retained without amendment.
347
Route removed given merge with the extended 497 route as suggested above.
The above proposals would open new journeys by bus while ensure that nobody in Havering sees their bus services removed or reduced following this consultation. They would also achieve what TfL states is the primary objective of this, and other equivalent consultations across London, of ‘strengthening alternatives to private cars.’
Julia has urged the Mayor to implement the above changes and has urged him to consider further changes to bus services in Havering. As the Mayor is aware the overwhelming majority of residents in Havering and across outer-London do not support the ULEZ expansion, principally as the public transport network is not sufficient to allow them to rely upon it. Simply providing one new connection, Harold Hill/Harold Wood to Upminster by bus, is not nearly enough to support Havering residents to change to public transport. Much more significant investments are needed, including expanding the Superloop so that it calls within the borough.
