TfL confirms 79 and 83 bus route changes after consultation

 From Transport for London

Alperton and Stonebridge Park - Proposed changes to bus routes 79 and 83

Consultation has concluded

Update 31 July 2023 

Today we have published our consultation report following this consultation.

We received 256 responses to the consultation and would like to thank everyone that took part. A range of views were expressed in response to consultation. Generally, the feedback was positive with overall support for the proposals.

Following careful consideration of the consultation responses, we have decided to proceed with the proposed changes to bus routes 79 and 83 as set out in the consultation.

The service changes are expected to take place during 2023  (Autumn) . Any changes will be supported with customer information in advance, and with minimal disruption to current bus journeys.

Thank you again to everyone that took part.

Executive Summary of Consultation Report

Between 6 March and 16 April 2023, we held a public consultation proposing
changes to bus routes 79 and 83 in the Alperton and Stonebridge Park areas of the London Borough of Brent.

Our aim was to adapt and develop the local bus network to support increased
demand for buses along Mount Pleasant and Beresford Avenue. It also aimed to
maintain bus links between Alperton Station and Sainsbury’s while creating new bus links between there and Kingsbury, West Hendon and Hendon. The proposals are summarised below:

• Route 79 - proposing extension of the route to serve Stonebridge Park
Station via Ealing Road, Mount Pleasant and Beresford Avenue. As a result,
the 79 would no longer serve bus stops between Ealing Road and Alperton,
Sainsbury’s

• Route 83 – proposed extension of the route from its current end point at
Alperton Station to a new end point at Alperton Sainsbury’s

We received 256 responses to the consultation. Of these, 254 were from members
of the public and two were from stakeholders.

The consultation sought to understand what respondents thought about the changes.

We also asked two closed questions asking people to let us know how often they
travelled on the bus routes in scope, and how they believed the proposals may affect their bus journey.

A total of 196 responded to the question about how the proposals may affect
passengers bus journeys. Of these, 74 per cent of respondents believed their bus
journey would be more convenient.

Generally, feedback was positive with overall support for the proposals. Supportive comments included alternative route suggestions and a general view the bus routes should run more frequently. Comments in opposition to the proposals were minimal and were related to traffic congestion and associated increased pollution and journey reliability if additional buses are introduced to Mount Pleasant, Beresford Avenue and Ealing Road.

Buses may be able to use the newly connected North End Road in Wembley

 In response to a question from Wembley Matters, reminding the council that early publicity on the joining up of North End Road stated it  might be used for re-routed buses, particularly on event days,  Brent Council have issued a statement and clarification  over the 7.5tonne limit on the road:

The recent 7.5 t restriction on North End Road prohibits HGVs exceeding this weight from entering the zone except for loading or unloading or visiting a place of business. There is also a general 17 tonne weight limit over the culvert.

 

We are liaising with Transport for London on improving bus services in the area and a potential future route along North End Road. The 7.5 t restriction applies to goods vehicles, it would not apply to buses operating a future service.