Thanks to Linda Green for this guest post outlining how the changes to the 223 bus route will affect residents' and school children's public transport.
Last year
TFL decided that it would change a large number of bus services throughout
London, because of 'The Elizabeth Line', which will not come to Brent. This included cutting the 223 bus that goes
from Wembley to Harrow via the Preston Park area. Instead of going to Harrow it will terminate
outside Northwick Park hospital.
As I heard a
rumour about it I tried searching TFL's website, but couldn't find anything
until a friend sent me a link.
I asked on
the bus, and the driver said 'they plan something this week then next week they
change it'. At Harrow bus station I
asked for information but they didn't have any.
I wrote to TFL and asked for copies of the consultation documents to be
sent to the library, as lots of the 223 users don't have the internet and don't
have any information. They did not
reply.
Apparently
there was a note about this in Metro.
There was no information put in buses, and nothing put in Harrow bus
station and nothing put up in bus stops.
If you live in the Preston area, and your main use of public transport
is the 223 or other local buses, you do not see Metro and hence have no way of
knowing that the consultation was taking place.
The issues affecting local people
are:
·
Many residents of Wembley, Preston and
Kenton see Harrow as their main shopping area, and use the 223 to get
there. They also go to Harrow for entertainment, such as cinemas and
restaurants. They do not want to change at Northwick Park.
·
It is the only bus service at all for
many residents, and for many it is too far to either walk to the tube station,
or to manage the large number of steps at the stations, especially if they have
heavy bags of shopping or babies in pushchairs.
·
It would be especially stressful and
difficult for elderly and disabled people and parents to have to get themselves
and their shopping off the bus to wait for another one at Northwick Park, where
there are no facilities, shelter from the weather or proper seats.
·
It would be unpleasant to wait at
Northwick Park in the dark. It is very creepy at night and people
would feel vulnerable. All there is are two bus stops and a grassy area
with trees.
·
Many children and young people use the
route to go to and from school in Harrow. They get on at Harrow bus
station and get off all through from Woodcock Hill, Kenton, Preston and later
stops through to Wembley and Wembley Park. Many Brent sixth-formers get
the 223 to Harrow bus station then change to other buses to go to Harrow Weald
College and other Harrow high schools. In future they would need to get three
buses. I doubt if the pupils and students know that their transport to school
and college is about to be cut.
·
Young people go to pubs and clubs in
Harrow then get the last 223 back to the Preston Park area as well as to the
Avenue and Wembley Park. They would risk missing another last bus from
Northwick Park hospital and be vulnerable waiting there or having to walk back.
·
A whole range of people goes to Harrow
to visit the cinema and restaurants, and will have similar problems to the
young people mentioned above.
·
The 223 is hail and ride for much of
the route, so that people can get off near their homes. For this reason
people who have disabilities or who feel vulnerable like to use this bus.
It means that it is easier than using the tube.
·
The bus is also the cheaper option
compared with the tube.
·
Many of Preston Community Library's
volunteers and members use this bus to visit the library.
Personally, I would stop going to the
cinema and restaurants at Harrow if there were no bus home at night. I would
not feel safe waiting in the dark, rain or snow by the hospital. Also, after I
have walked around shopping etc I seldom have the strength left to climb the
steps into Harrow tube station or the steps inside Preston Road station.
Residents can make a complaint via
London Travel Watch: http://www.londontravelwatch.org.uk/complaints/
They could also write to Navin Shah,
the London Assembly member for Brent and Harrow, or to their MP or the London
Mayor. Copy in your local councillors.
When complaining do emphasize that the
consultation was a sham, and that users of the bus mostly knew nothing about
the proposals at all. 'Tell them how it affects you personally.
Other bus routes will be affected also, so it
is worth contacting TFL to see if there are other cuts which affect you.
TfL consultation response HERE
Sadly the present Labour Mayor of London is as useless and incompetent as his predecessor. He has no understanding or interest in protecting bus services for local people.
ReplyDeleteThe 245 bus which used to serve Sudbury Town Station no longer does because of a monumental cokck up by London Transport staff in redesigning the forecourt. As a result disabled and elderly people cannot access the station. Mayor Sadiq Khan promised 9 months ago to review the situation and to come up with a solution - we are still waiting and will no doubt wait for ever.
As local people cannot come to local Libraries within the Wembley Event Day Zone by car on Event days - officials at Brent Council are telling us to encourage local people to come by Bus! A bit difficult in the case of Preston Community Library when the 223 bus service is being cut. Good luck with your campaign but I fear that Sadiq Khan has little understanding or regard for the needs of local people and local communities.