Consultation on Bus Service Changes in South Kensington Summary of responses July 2010

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Contents

Section Page

1 Introduction & about the scheme 3

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About the consultation Public responses

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6-12

4 Responses from statutory bodies and other stakeholders

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Appendices A

Copy of the consultation leaflet

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B List of stakeholders consulted 24-25

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1. Introduction TfL London Buses consulted stakeholders and the public on bus service changes in South Kensington between 11 January and 8 March 2010. This report explains the background to the scheme and consultation and summarises the responses received. About the scheme South Kensington bus services have changed as part of the Exhibition Road project run by the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. Experimental traffic management orders have altered traffic flows around the station and bus services can no longer take their previous routes. The main bus service changes that have already happened are explained below:

• Thurloe Street was closed to general traffic including buses on 16 August 2009. Buses that previously used to go along Thurloe Street towards west or south London are now going along Thurloe Place and Cromwell Place. Buses that used to go along Thurloe Place towards Central London are now going along Cromwell Place and Cromwell Gardens.

• Traffic flows were changed on Glendower Place on Sunday 6 December 2009. Buses can no longer use this road to reach Harrington Road and Cromwell Place. Buses now go straight across from Onslow Square into Cromwell Place, instead of along Glendower Place and Harrington Road.

• Route 430 used to finish and stand at Cromwell Gardens. It can no longer do

this as traffic management revisions mean it cannot take its previous route from Cromwell Gardens to Exhibition Road and Thurloe Street. It is currently finishing and standing on Cromwell Place.

• Route 345 now finishes on Cromwell Place and stands on Cromwell Road as

its previous bus stand on Exhibition Road is closed.

• Routes 49 and 345 now serve South Kensington Station from a stop on Harrington Road as they can no longer go along Thurloe Street to serve the station.

TfL London Buses wish to make final plans for bus routes 14, 74, 414, 360, C1, 70, 345, 430, N74 and N97 and was seeking feedback from the local community about their experience of these bus service changes. Some preliminary discussions at meetings with Kensington & Chelsea Council and Cromwell Place resident and business representatives already resulted in us altering the original plan for bus services. This included the removal of a previously proposed second bus stop on Cromwell Place (towards central London) and presenting an option for a possible new bus stand for route 430 on Cromwell Gardens outside the Victoria & Albert (V&A) museum. Further feedback will inform final bus route decisions and feed into the council’s key decisions and the traffic management order process.

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2. The consultation The objectives of the consultation were:

• To give stakeholders and the public easily-understandable information about the rationale for the bus service changes and allow them to respond in an informed way

• To understand how the recent bus service changes have affected people • To understand what people thought about options for the 430 and C1 • To understand any suggestions that may allow us to further modify the

services to improve bus users experience Consultation questions To better understand our respondents, we asked whether they were a resident, business, bus/tube user or ‘other’ (with the opportunity to specify). We also asked where they heard about the consultation and how the recent bus service changes had affected them. We asked two specific questions about the scheme in relation to routes 430 and C1, where there were potential options. The options related to:

• Whether the C1 should continue to go along Thurloe Place in both directions, or go along Cromwell Place towards Central London and Thurloe Place towards South Kensington

• Whether the 430 should continue to stand on Cromwell Place or go to a

possible new stand on Cromwell Gardens outside the V&A museum

• We also asked whether respondents had any other comments or suggestions about the recent and planned bus services in South Kensington

2.1. Who we consulted We carefully considered who might be affected before deciding who to consult and used the consultation materials, distribution and publicity set out below. 2.2. Consultation materials, distribution and publicity

• We produced a leaflet (see appendix) explaining the bus service consultation and distributed this to around 1200 affected local properties on Thurloe Square, Thurloe Place, Cromwell Place, Thurloe Street, the affected part of Cromwell Road, Exhibition Road, Glendower Place, Bute Street, Harrington Road, Queensberry Place, Sydney Place, affected part of Old Brompton Road. We also advertised the consultation in affected bus stops so people visiting and travelling through the area would be aware

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• The leaflet was sent to stakeholders by post or email, including the councils, London TravelWatch, Members of Parliament, Assembly Members and local interest groups

• An email was sent to affected bus users (who have registered for TfL updates) to make them aware of the consultation

• The leaflet invited people to respond by using the pre-paid reply slip, writing,

emailing stengagement@tfl.gov.uk, using the TfL website, or by calling Customer Services on 0845 300 7000

• Braille, audio and large font versions of the consultation material were

available, as was a translation service to other languages. A freephone facility was set up to receive these requests.

2.3. Meetings and site visits TfL staff discussed the proposals with the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea council and resident’s representatives before the consultation period. This included regular operational project traffic meetings and a meeting on 5 May 2009 with Cromwell Place representatives. In the consultation period, TfL attended meetings on 25 January 2010, with Cromwell Place representatives and 2 February 2010 with the Exhibition Road Community Involvement Group. Both meetings were held at Kensington & Chelsea Town Hall.

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3. Detailed responses from members of the public Response type There were 44 leaflet responses, 18 emails, 41 web replies, 1 phone response,

totalling 104 individual responses .

Leaflet Email Web Phone

Number of responses 44 18 41 1

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Response Type

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Q1: Are you a resident, business, bus/tube user or other (please specify) Most respondents were solely bus & tube users (34 responses). Most resident respondents were also bus and tube users (30 responses). Some identified themselves as resident and business and bus/tube/car users. Some respondents (17 responses) did not answer this question (blank).

Bus Tube  ResidentResident Bus Tube

BusinessBusiness Bus Tube

Other Blank

Number of responses 34 11 30 8 2 2 17

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Resident, Business, Bus/Tube user, Other

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Q2. Where did you hear about this consultation? 9 respondents heard about the consultation from the council, 36 by email, 25 through our leaflet drop, 3 poster, 3 press, 7 ‘other’ (BBC website (1 response), Natural History intranet (2 responses), Neighbour (2 responses) Letter (2 responses)) and 21 respondents did not answer this question.

Council EmailLeaflet drop

Poster Press Other Blank Number of responses 9 36 25 3 3 7 21

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10152025303540

Where did you hear about this consultation?

Q3. How have the recent bus service changes affected you? 30 respondents said their journey has been made easier, 23 harder, 11 no opinion, 20‘other’. Those who chose ‘other’ added comments such as ‘too early to say’ (2), ‘new to the area’ (1), ‘little difference’ (1), ‘increased traffic disturbance’ (6), ‘bus stops spilt’ (2), ‘much better traffic flow’ (1), ‘higher pollution’ (1), ‘parking loss’ (1), ‘bus congestion’ (2). Remaining comments under ‘other’ cannot be classified into these descriptions and have been recorded as part of fee text comments analysis in section 3.1.

Easier Harder No opinion Other Blank

Number of responses 30 23 11 20 20

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How have bus service changes affected you?

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Q4. Do you think the 430 should stand on the existing temporary stand on Cromwell Place or at Cromwell Gardens near the coach stop outside the V&A? Respondents were split between preferring Cromwell Gardens (36 responses) and Cromwell Place (38 responses), for the 430 bus stand. 30 left this section blank or did not answer it.

Cromwell Gardens

Cromwell Place Blank

Number of responses 36 38 30

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Route 430

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Q5. Do you think the C1 should go both ways along Thurloe Place or go along Cromwell Place towards central London and Thurloe Place towards South Kensington? Respondents were split about the C1 routeing. 38 respondents thought the C1 should go both ways along Thurloe Place and 38 respondents thought it should go along Cromwell Place towards central London and Thurloe Place towards South Kensington. 28 respondents left this section blank or did not answer it.

Thurloe Place both directions

Cromwell Place towards Central 

LondonBlank

Number of responses 38 38 28

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Route C1

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Q6. Please let us know if you have any other comments or suggestions about the recent and planned changes to bus services in South Kensington? This section contains the comments and suggestions made outside the specific consultation questions. It includes email, letter and phone responses and analysis of the text box area of the leaflet/web replies. Some respondents made more than one comment and suggestion. Others made comments that did not relate specifically to the consultation questions, such as bus driver behaviour, reliability, capacity or frequency which cannot be attributed solely to the South Kensington changes (there could be various reasons for these issues). The following table captures the key feedback from individual replies.

Issue Total Routes 345 & 49 at stop 4 only is not sufficient. Put southbound stop on Onslow Square, improve signage to stop 4, install bin, allow these routes to serve stop 7) 8 Changes are great/an improvement 7 Traffic gets caught at Cromwell Place lights near station (yellow box required) 6 Reinstate common stop for 345, 14, 360, 414 towards Fulham 6 Improve Countdown 5 Noise and other pollution (light, traffic fumes) 4 Too many buses serve stop 3 4 Put another bus service along Exhibition Road 3 Changes have increased traffic congestion (needs better enforcement) 3 Harder to cross Cromwell Place 3 Need to reduce bus and general traffic on Cromwell Place 3 Pelham Street congested – delays route 360, pedestrian concerns 2 Route 74 should stop on Harrington Road instead of stop 3 or Route 430 should stop on Harrington Road instead of stop 3 2 Use stop 8 for route 430 bus stand 1 Permit left turn from Cromwell Road into Exhibition Road 1 Extend C1 to Waterloo (south of river link required) 1 Change route 360 so it doesn’t serve Pelham Street (Thurloe Place instead) 1 Make V&A stand a live stop for passengers 1 Changes have reduced traffic congestion 1

Location of Harrington Road bus stand makes it harder to cross 1

Move route 70 to same stop as 49 & 345 1 Make Cromwell Place or Thurloe Street bus only road 1 Keep Carluccios stop and shelter – elderly and young use it 1 Waste of money 1

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4.1 Main themes and issues There were a few main themes for the council and TfL to consider when considering individual responses with Stakeholder replies and meetings. These are summarised below: Cromwell Place Some respondents pointed out the effects of the changes to traffic on Cromwell Place. They are concerned this street has been affected by introduction of buses, more traffic, noise and pollution. This issue is of particular concern to resident and business occupiers and the French Consulate and Embassy. Some individual respondents were concerned about congestion near the traffic lights at the junction of Harrington Road and crossing Cromwell Place. Some respondents are keen that no buses stop or stand on Cromwell Place outside residential or diplomatic property. Routes 49 and 345 – buses towards Clapham at Harrington Road Stopping arrangements for the 49 and 345 towards Clapham are an issue for some respondents since Thurloe Street has been closed to buses. People find the new Harrington Road stop (4 on consultation plan) insufficient and would like a shelter, bin, countdown, and a shorter walk. They would like to see a southbound bus stop put in on Onslow Square to allow them an alternative to stop 4 (there was a temporary stop at Onslow Square while works took place). Bus users would also like to see a common stop reinstated for the 345, 49, 14 and 414 (going south). Battersea Society raised concerns about the new arrangements on behalf of bus users in their area. Stop 3 on Cromwell Place Some respondents raised concerns about the number of buses serving stop 3 on the consultation plan (Cromwell Place towards London). They felt this stop is too congested for the number of buses using it. Residents suggest TfL and the council reconsider the location of the shelter to make things easier. It was also suggested that route 430 or 74 serve stop 4 on Harrington Road instead of stop 3 to reduce the number of buses queuing at this location. Or that route 345 omits stop 3 on its route towards South Kensington.

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4. Statutory bodies and other Stakeholder responses There were 13 stakeholder responses and these are summarised below. Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea The Council appreciated that TfL had already modified the original plan as a result of preliminary discussions and had done significant work and engagement on the lead up to and during this consultation. They would like the 430 bus stand to be outside the V&A museum. They would like the C1 to continue going two ways on Thurloe Place. They would like to see fewer buses serving stop 3 on the consultation plan and put forward a suggestion that route 74 could stop in Harrington Road instead of stop 3. They also suggested that route 345 has its last stops at Onslow Square (Carluccios) and at the stand (stop 1) instead of also serving stop 3. They go on to make further detailed suggestions about stops, shelters and publicity and have posted their response on their website. V&A Museum The museum does not oppose a new stand outside their building. They would like to see this in passenger service so bus users can get on and off at this location. They are concerned about road safety for people crossing here, rather than using the Exhibition Road junction crossing. Cromwell Place Residents and Business Group Members of Cromwell Place residents and business group met with TfL and Council representatives during the consultation period. They pointed out the effects on Cromwell Place and are still concerned this street has been negatively affected by the introduction of buses, more traffic, noise and pollution. This is of particular concern to resident and business occupiers who have replied in a stakeholder capacity. They are keen that no buses stop or stand on Cromwell Place outside residential property. They would like the 430 stand moved to the possible stand outside the V&A and would like to see the C1 stay going both ways along Thurloe Place. They raised concerns regarding the number of buses serving stop 3 on Cromwell Place and had some ideas about changes to the location of the stop/shelter, and arrangements for the 74, 345 and 430. French Consulate & Embassy The French Consulate (Cromwell Place) are concerned about potential security threats which they link to the bus stand on Cromwell Place as it is near a diplomatic mission with between 300 and 500 visitors per day. They would like the 430 to stand outside the V&A and the C1 to stay as it is on Thurloe Place. They mention experiencing noise and pollution to their offices. The French Embassy (Knightsbridge) respond on behalf of French services in South Kensington – the Consulate General, the Science and Technology Department, Cultural Services, and the French Lycee. They prefer the 430 to stand outside the V&A and they would like buses to switch off engines at stands to reduce noise and pollution. They would like the 74 to change so that it doesn’t go along Queensbury Place (near the Lycee), going instead along Cromwell Road and Cromwell Gardens. They go on to say a stop could then be put nearer the Exhibition Road tube station entrance and museums.

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London TravelWatch London TravelWatch asked that we publicise changes in advance of them taking place to passengers and members of the public who use these routes or who live in the local area. They suggest identifying registered Oyster users who use these routes and sending them information via e-mail. They ask whether museums and cultural institutions also receive leaflets to give to visitors or display information on their websites. Battersea Society The Battersea Society objects to the changes on behalf of southbound route 49 and 345 bus users. These bus users now need to cross the road to go to a stop (4) without a shelter or arrivals indicator. They used to be able to use Thurloe Street where they did not have to cross the road. They would like to see these routes serve Cromwell Place or for there to be a stop in Onslow Square to maintain a better interchange. Ismaili Centre The Ismaili Centre does not support bus services going both ways along Thurloe Place because of car parking and congestion. They are concerned their members would have problems using the centre, especially those who need to travel by car. South Kensington & Queens Gate Residents Association This residents association share the concerns of Cromwell Place residents, would like to see the 430 stand outside the V&A and the C1 stay as it is. They are also concerned about the number of buses on stop 3 and the new arrangements on Pelham Street for route 360. Grosvenor Kensington Hotel This hotel is by stop 4 and the hotel management has complained about noise and disturbance as well as rubbish from the stop. They would like the stop moved away from the front of their premises. Brompton Association The Brompton Association think the new arrangements are a general improvement but think there are too many stops for route 14 around South Kensington and that buses on route 430 could present a hazard turning back on themselves at Thurloe Square. The Association think buses on route C1 must use Cromwell Place as Thurloe Place is too narrow in their opinion, particularly if the buses used on this route are longer buses in the future. Ealing Passenger Transport Users Group This group are concerned about stop 3 in terms of capacity and would like the 70 to be able to set down nearer the station (eg: stop 4). Suggests that a stand on Cromwell Place or Cromwell Gardens could also accommodate route 70 to get people closer to the station on the way in to South Kensington. Thorney Island Society The society had no objection in principle.

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Elected membersElected Members House of Commons Andrew Slaughter MP Hammersmith House of Commons Frank Dobson MP Holborn & St Pancras House of Commons Glenda M Jackson MP Hampstead & Kilburn House of Commons Greg Hands MP Chelsea & Fulham House of Commons Harriet Harman MP Camberwell & Peckham House of Commons Justine Greening MP Putney House of Commons Karen Buck MP Westminster North House of Commons Kate Hoey MP Vauxhall House of Commons Keith Hill MP Streatham House of Commons Malcolm Rifkind MP Kensington House of Commons Mark Field MP City London & Westminster House of Commons Martin Linton MP Battersea House of Commons Sadiq Khan MP Tooting House of Commons Simon Hughes MP Bermondsey & Old

Southwark House of Commons Stephen Pound MP Ealing North House of Commons Susan Kramer MP Richmond Park House of Commons Vincent Cable MP Twickenham House of Commons Virendra Sharma MP Ealing Greater London Authority Andrew Boff AM Londonwide Greater London Authority Caroline Pidgeon AM Londonwide

Greater London Authority Darren Johnson AM Londonwide

Greater London Authority Dee Doocey AM Londonwide

Greater London Authority Gareth Bacon AM Londonwide

Greater London Authority Jenny Jones AM Londonwide

Greater London Authority Kit Malthouse AM West Central

Greater London Authority Mike Tuffrey AM Londonwide

Greater London Authority Murad Qureshi AM Londonwide

Greater London Authority Nicky Gavron AM Londonwide

Greater London Authority Richard Barnbrook AM Londonwide

Greater London Authority Richard Barnes AM Ealing & Hillingdon

Greater London Authority Richard Tracey AM Merton & Wandsworth

Greater London Authority Tony Arbour AM South West

Greater London Authority Valerie Shawcross AM Lambeth & Southwark

Greater London Authority Victoria Borwick AM Londonwide

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Local Interest Groups Local Authorities Action Disability K&C Royal Borough Kensington & Chelsea Chelsea Society London Borough Camden Cromwell Place Residents & Businesses London Borough Ealing Hammersmith & Fulham Action on Disability London Borough Lambeth Barnes Community Association London Borough Hammersmith & Fulham Bayswater Residents Association London Borough Richmond Belgravia Residents Association London Borough Southwark Belsize Park Residents Association London Borough Wandsworth Brompton Association London Borough Westminster Battersea Society London Councils Britain Visitor Centre Brompton Association London wide Stakeholders Doverhouse Estate Residents Association London Cycling Campaign Ealing Passenger Transport Users Group London Travelwatch Evolution Quarter Residents Association Exhibition Road Cultural Group Police & Health Authorities Fitztrovia Neighbourhood Association Metropolitan Police Safer Neighbourhoods French Embassy & Consulate Metropolitan Traffic Police Ismaili Centre Camden Primary Care Trust Institut Francais du Royaume-Uni Ealing Primary Care Trust In & Around Covent Garden Hammersmith & Fulham Primary Care Trust Kensington Society Kensington & Chelsea Primary Care Trust Knightsbridge Association Lambeth Primary Care Trust Lambeth Traffic & Transport Working Group Richmond Primary Care Trust Lambeth Public Transport Working Group Southwark Primary Care Trust Putney Society Wandsworth Primary Care Trust Sutton Rail Users Forum Westminster Primary Care Trust South Kensington & Queens Gate Association NHS London Strategic Health Authority

South Kensington Underground Development Action Group