Wembley Park residents deprived of 206 bus for 5 afternoons and evenings while Love is on Tour. Vulnerable residents left stranded.

 

A resident of the King's Drive/Pilgrims Way estate has written to Barnhill councillor, Kathleen Fraser, about the impact of the curtailment of the 206 bus at Brent Park on event days. Thirty minutes ago I had to inform people waiting in the heat at The Paddocks stop that there were no buses due to a concert at the Stadium.

 

 

As the writer points out we were promised that an advantage of North End Road being rejoined to Bridge Road was that the 206 could avoid the main stadum area by using North End Road on event days.

 

 

 

 Dear Councillor Fraser

I am writing to you with regard to the 206 bus route which, for many living in Kings Drive, The Paddocks, Salmon Street areas, is a real boon.  That is until there is an event scheduled at Wembley Stadium when no service is provided after 11.00/noon.

I believe I am correct in saying that in Brent's local plan for our area it was stated that the opening of North End Road to allow traffic to and from Bridge Road would mean that the 206 would be able to serve our area on event days.

The changes to the road layout have been completed and yet we are still deprived of our bus service.

 

Could I ask you to please enquire as to why this is the case and when we may expect a service to run regardless of events at the stadium.

May I point out that the suspension of this service disproportionately affects our most vulnerable residents - the elderly, disabled, parents with small children and women travelling home alone at night.

This week commencing Sunday 11 June we will be without a bus on no fewer than 5 afternoons and evenings.  

 

The bus company seems to suspend the service at the earliest time possible, even when traffic is light.

I would be most grateful for your help in this matter. Residents have been putting up with this for far too long.

Thank you in advance.

'Aspiration' that the 206 bus could serve Wembley on Event Days if talks with TfL succeed and funding is available

 

Wembley Park residents, and in particular those on the Kings Drive Estate (including Pilgrims Way, Summers Close and Saltcroft Close), have long been frustrated on Wembley Event Days when the route is curtailed at Tesco, Brent Park. 

Passengers, not realising there was an event, have been stranded at Brent Park, while others wait in vain at The Paddocks bus stop near Fryent Country Park for a bus that is not running. The route stops for several hours before and after the event and when there are consecutive concerts the route may be unavailable for much of the time over several days.

As the estate is on a steep hill this means that elderly or less mobile residents are cut off.

 

The Paddocks Terminus at the Salmon Street/Fryent Way roundabout

 

When plans were discussed over the rejoining of North End Road to Bridge Road  in Wembley Park, we were promised that buses could skirt around the stadium area and continue to The Paddocks terminus.

Now, as a result of a Member's Inquiry by Cllr Robert Johnson I can report that some belated progress has been made:

[Brent Council] are currently in discussions to re-locate the bus stand from First Way to Great Central Way. Subject to approval, the aspiration is to re-route the bus 206 to Great Central Way,  Fourth Way, Fulton Road, Albion Road and into North End Road. This is all dependent on TfL approval. TfL have advised they will consult on the proposed re-routing early January 2023 and post their consultation and approval, Brent Council will consult formally on the proposal, subject to funding and approval. 

 

It would then serve The Paddocks even on Event Days.

 

 

 

 

Proposed Changes in Wembley Bus Routes - Have Your Say

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Transport for London is currently consulting on changes to the 206, 224 and PR2 routes:

• Route 206 will be withdrawn from between Brent Park and St Raphael’s Estate and re-routed  to Wembley Park, The Paddocks
• Route 224 will be rerouted at Harlesden Station running along Brentfield Road to terminate in St Raphael’s Estate.
• Route PR2 is withdrawn

Currently route PR2 operates Monday to Saturdays only with a bus every 30 minutes. The changes mean that there would be a daily service along all the roads currently served by route PR2. The frequency of buses would also increase at most times as routes 206 and 224  run every 15 minutes during the day Monday to Saturdays.

Sunday service frequency
Routes 206 and 224 both operate on a Sunday. Route 206 operates every 20 minutes and route 224 every 30 minutes.

Earlier / Later buses
Routes 206 and 224 have earlier and later buses operating along the routes. Route 206 will run between about 0520 and midnight Monday to Saturday, and 0650 and midnight on Sundays. Route 224 will run between about 0500 and 0030 Monday to Saturday and about 0645 to 0010 on Sundays.  This will provide more travelling options for bus users who require the services at these times. The current times of route PR2 are between about 0600 and 2320 Monday to Saturday.

New Journey Options
New journey options are created to/from the Wembley Stadium and the relocated Brent civic centre, St Raphael’s and Brentfield Road.

Direct journeys no longer available
No replacement for route PR2 is proposed along Hillside or at Stonebridge Park however this area is served by high frequency route 18. Additionally, many users will be close to bus stops served by routes 206 and 224.
Routes 228 and 487 will continue to link the Central Middlesex Hospital area and Willesden Junction station, with nine buses every hour. (Eight buses per hour evenings and Sundays). Harlesden Station also provides interchange with rail services.

The consultation ends on August 19th. Use this LINK to make your views known.