Camden New Journal-news-objectors

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Camden New Journal - by DAN CARRIER
Published: 17 May 2007

Objectors fear bus route protests will be ignored

BUS bosses stand accused of ignoring protests from people living in streets earmarked for a new route through Kentish Town.
Buses on the new 393 route from Holloway to Chalk Farm would travel along Leighton Road, down Kentish Town Road and through Castle Road before terminating at Morrisons store by the Roundhouse.
Labour councillor Pat Callaghan has been told that Transport for London (TfL) officials have recommended that the route should go ahead despite furious protests from residents who responded to a consultation exercise. TfL says no final decision has been taken.
Cllr Callaghan said: “Right across the board, people are dead against this. The views of people involved in the consultation have simply been ignored.”
Leighton Road Neighbourhood Association chairwoman Sue Prickett said Leighton Road was not wide enough for buses.
She added: “The road is unsuitable because of its width – a bus would simply not fit. It also has narrow pavements. We have spent many years putting in traffic-calming measures along the road and a bus route is the antithesis of this.”
A protest petition in Leighton Road was signed by 200 residents, while 300 signed another in Castle Road.
Ms Prickett said: “It is completely undemocratic. Transport for London have acted in a bureaucratic, monolithic way in reaching this decision.
“We suggested the route could head up to Agar Grove before turning north and then running along Prince of Wales Road.
“Residents on the Maiden Lane estate have backed this idea but it’s been completely ignored.”
A TfL spokesman said no final decision had been taken, despite the officials’ reports.
The spokesman added: “An evaluation of responses to Transport for London’s widespread consultation with stakeholders is underway. It is expected a decision will be made soon and all parties will be informed as quickly as possible.”
He added that TfL had signed a contract with bus company Arriva, but had done so without specifying the distance or route the new bus would travel.
The spokesman said: “It has been left open with regards the specific route the bus will follow until such time as a final decision has been reached.”

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment:

Your Comments:

I received an email from TFL today to advise that we had all been
ignored!!!
Russell Whitlock