Bus route to be reconsidered
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
11/08/2008
Plans to create a bus route that would connect the new Westfield shopping centre with the rest of the borough are being reconsidered by Transport for London (TfL) after hundreds of residents voiced their concerns over the scheme.
TfL plan for the new route to start at the Central Middlesex Hospital on Acton Lane. It would then travel through Shepherds Bush before journeying down Ladbroke Grove to its final destination at Maida Hill. It would provide particularly excellent access to Westfield for residents of the Wormholt Estate and the White City Estate.
The new route will be funded by Westfield, which opens in October and has been designed to ease congestion on roads in Shepherds Bush.
But many residents believe that it would prove to be a rat-run through many of the borough’s narrow streets, such as Steventon Road. They believe that the problems will be exacerbated by the traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps, that would need to be removed in order for the narrow roads to carry busses. This, they claim, would put children’s safety in jeopardy.
On the other hand, some people are in favour of the new route. They say that the busses will serve the new Janet Adegoke centre health facility, and would provide a new link from East Acton to Willesden Junction and Park Royal.
It is believed that a petition opposing the new route has been sent to TfL with over 500 residents signed up. TfL is currently collating all the info from the consultation and is preparing a report before a final decision is taken on the route.
Cllr Nick Botterill, deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, said: “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. Whether for or against, I am pleased that so many people have had their say to TfL and I look forward to hearing their findings in the near future.”
