255 Bus Route Extension Plans Hits Delays due to TfL Cross Borough Talks

Long

1.  

   The delayed 255 bus

 

anticipated plans to extend a single decker bus linking Streatham and

Balham shopping districts have run into delays following concerns

raised by Wandsworth Council and objections from residents on one road

in the area.

Residents will

now have to wait even longer while talks with both Lambeth and

Wandsworth Council’s are ongoing with Transport for London (TfL), who

carried out a consultation throughout both council districts with a

large number in favour of the extension of the 255 bus which currently

terminates at Streatham Hill Station.

The extension

would run along Weir Road and terminate at Balham Station under the

plans. Residents on a road in Wandsworth which would also form part of

the new route submitted a petition to TFL against the proposals amid

safety and loss of parking fears.

TfL are

currently in talks with both London Councils to  find a solution

to getting the bus route implemented though there is no indication as

to when this is likely to be.

In a statement

TfL said ‘We are still planning to introduce the service but the scheme

has been delayed, however we are working closely with both local

authorities to progress the scheme to implementation. Once we can

release further information, we will do.’

The new extended route

would run from its current terminus at Streatham along Hydethorpe Road,

Radbourne Road, Weir Road and Old Devonshire Road, into Balham High

Street and terminate at Balham Station.

With

concerns by residents in Wandsworth and Wandsworth officals has stalled the

plans which local Lambeth ward councillors campaigned for following

appeals by residents particularly in the Lambeth Ward of Thornton, which

sits in between both shopping areas with practically no transport

links immediately close by.

Many elderly and disabled residents have

told how they are cut off from local town centres due to the lack of

accessible public transport.

Weir Estate

Residents Association and Builders Merchants 'Travis Perkins' have backed the plans along with a vast number of

local residents throughout the proposed route. TfL published its findings

into the plans earlier this year.

Thornton Ward

Councillor and Lambeth Cabinet Member for Housing, Lib Peck who had

lobbied for the extension spoke of her dismay at the delays “As local

Lambeth councillors we are dismayed by the delay to this service. As a

borough we have been supportive of the scheme and we hope that

Wandsworth will resolve its problems soon so that the bus project can

get back on track and a new service can come to Thornton Ward soon.”

The route which

has been extensively tested by Transport for London and alterations to

traffic flow along the route have already taken place.

Many Weir

Estate and local residents had hoped that the bus would be introduced

this summer as earlier indications had suggested. Due to the talks with

Lambeth and Wandsworth officials there is no sign of the bus route

being extended in the near future and its anticipated will now not be

until next year at the earliest.

Wandworth Council have been asked to comment on the delays but failed to respond.

Source: www.wera.org.uk