Andrew Dismore

Consultation on the 307 route

Question No: 2091 / 2012

Andrew Dismore

Why were so many 307 bus users in High andEast Barnettotally left out of the so called “consultation” on its rerouting and will you consider a further immediate consultation on modifications to the new route so that the compromise proposals from those who have been inconvenienced can be considered?

Written response from the Mayor

Diverting route 307 to the hospital to provide improved links between Enfield and Barnet General Hospitalis seen as giving the most benefit to the most people. For many years there have been requests for an improved bus service toBarnet General Hospital. These requests have come from the boroughs of Barnet and Enfield as well as members of the public. TfL has discussed possible improvements with both boroughs, again over a number of years. Partly due to planned changes to health care provision in north London, it has become clear that improving links between the borough of Enfield and Barnet General Hospitalwas of particular importance.

TfL use consultation as a means to make a better informed decision about how to proceed with proposed bus service changes.  A localised area was chosen for a letter drop to provide a representative sample of people who would be directly affected by the change.  However, the letter drop was only one of a number of means used to gather views; the consultation was also advertised at affected bus stops and was published online on TfL’s consultation portal.  As a result responses received were not just restricted to the people who received the letter.