Darwin ward’s local councillor Jonathan Andrews and London Assembly Member Thomas Turrell AM have successfully pushed Transport for London (TfL) to require that utility company SGN provide alternative transport to Downe while the 146 bus is unable to run during a planned 6-week road closure of New Road Hill and Rookery Road.
The impact of road closures on TfL’s bus routes is a concerning issue for Bromley’s rural communities, including Darwin residents living in Downe, Cudham and Pratts Bottom – especially given these buses are the only public transport serving these communities.
Up to now, TfL’s approach when road closures have impacted rural bus routes has left a lot to be desired. To give just one example, Cudham had to deal with a similar closure by SGN of Cudham Lane earlier this year due to essential gas works. For the entire 5 weeks of the closure, TfL refused to run either the R5/R10 bus or any alternative transport, cutting off the entire village from any public transport whatsoever. Likewise, when more frequent, shorter closures have required that buses stop running, TfL has never – despite pressure from the council, residents and local councillor Jonathan Andrews – put on any replacement transport, even though this has invariably left residents without any public transport at all.
TfL’s attitude in this case was initially was no different, but thanks to pressure from Jonathan and Thomas, who pushed TfL to take action after being contacted by a number of concerned local residents facing serious disruption, TfL reversed their stance and have now insisted that SGN provide a shuttle service to accommodate displaced residents during the closure.
Whilst TfL’s late decision to push for alternative transport has delayed the planned closure and prevented it taking place during the school summer holidays, it has ensured that alternative transport will remain available for Downe residents to use – whether they are schoolchildren needing to get to school each day, commuters, elderly residents, residents unable to drive without paying TfL and London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s ULEZ charge, or others needing to use public transport.
Councillor Andrews said:
“I am pleased that, after much pushing, TfL has recognised the importance of maintaining public transport links for our borough’s rural communities, and that Downe’s residents will be supported during this closure.
I of course will continue to push TfL to improve the frequency of bus services across Darwin, and I very much hope that the next time a similar closure takes place, TfL stands by the decision it has taken here and ensures that alternative accommodation is available for residents where buses are not able to run.
Thomas added:
"I am pleased we have been acheived the positive outcome we wanted here. Outer London has rural communities, so when works means the buses have to terminate early that really can be the difference between someone getting to or home from work or not. It just is not acceptable for these works to leave people cut off."
