TfL Bus route changes across Upminster and Cranham.

Upminster and Cranham Residents Association members have today written in the Havering Daily in regards to the proposed bus route changes.

The Upminster and Cranham Residents Association are writing on behalf of residents in response to the consultation process. The proposals are to make changes to 346, 347 and 497 bus routes in Harold Wood, Upminster and Cranham.
We welcome your response and the action being taken in relation to the consultation held in 2021. The introduction of a bus route from Upminster to Harold Wood will provide access to the newly installed Elizabeth Line and Liverpool Street Line.
However, the implications around the removal of the 346 are currently unclear to consultees. The current offer is a hail and ride; the consultation should include how this service will now be provided. You have also identified this service would be reduced to two buses an hour, from a current service of four; this is totally unacceptable. Additionally the proposals for road widening in Waycross Road and the installation of toilets, would have a detrimental impact on the public open green space. As a consequence we cannot support the proposals presented.
Whilst it is recognised that the 248 covers part of the 497 bus route, the reduction in frequency of buses is unacceptable. The 248 is on a route that serves 5 schools and a sixth form college. As a consequence, capacity pressures to transport students alongside general passengers will be dramatically increased. The focus of TfL should be in providing alternative means of travel. This will however encourage more car usage rather than less.
The removal of the 347 service is not in the public’s best interest. A large cohort of the Upminster Ward from South Ockendon, St. Mary’s Lane (East of Front Lane) and the Cathedral Estate would be without any form of public transport. This bus route also serves a local primary school which operates a schools streets scheme to encourage alternative modes of transport, this proposal removes that option. James Oglethorpe School is the local school for residents living in North and South Ockendon. Parents living in Clay Tye Road would have to drive to the area if the 347 service were to be removed. There are also a number of businesses with daytime and night-time economies that are served by this bus route. This proposal would also have a negative impact for the workforce, residents and families connected to the care home in Clay Tye Road. The suggestion there is walking distance access is inaccurate, as the required distance for passengers to reach a bus stop is being breached and an expectation our elderly residents, families with young children and people with disabilities is inconsiderate at best and does not provide an equitable provision. They consider this as the removal of a lifeline and a move towards isolation. The transportation of shopping would not be possible for many due to the distance you are now proposing they walk. Again, the focus of TfL should be in providing alternative means of travel to the car. This will however encourage more car usage rather than less.
Finally the 347 route between Romford Station and Harold Wood would inconvenience residents who would have in the past had one bus to wait for. This introduces a further time delay to their journeys having to wait for a second bus. Once again, the focus of TfL should be in providing alternative means of travel to the car. This will however encourage more car usage rather than less.

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