Andrew Dismore

Bus stops near St. Pancras Hospital

Question No: 2016/2108

Andrew Dismore

The removal of the bus stops on either side of the road that were closest to St. Pancras Hospital (nos. 46 and 214 buses) means that a lot of sick people have to trudge half a mile or so from the next nearest bus stop especially as the hospital also now houses a general practice that has moved from Kings Cross Road.  Will you reinstate these bus stops, and if not why not?

Written response from the Mayor

The plans to remove the bus stops on Pancras Road were subject to public consultation in October 2014 and led by the London Borough of Camden. It was considered that 112 metres walking distance from the nearest adjacent bus stop was reasonable. The proposals formed part of a cycling scheme to introduce protected cycle lanes. The stops were permanently removed in July 2015.

TfL recognise the balance that must be struck in meeting the needs of bus passengers as well as the benefits of providing cyclists and pedestrians with an improved and safer public space. The close proximity of the adjacent stops – while making for a slightly longer walk – ensures that bus services remain within an acceptable and accessible distance of the hospital grounds.

143 bus route

Question No: 2016/2130

Andrew Dismore

Are you aware of a petition to increase the frequency of 143 buses, and will you look to do so, on one of the few cross-Barnet bus routes?

Written response from the Mayor

TfL is not aware of any petition regarding route 143. If your office has any further details please forward these on to TfL and it can consider the petitioners’ views and respond.

Route 143 operates every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday during the day with services every 15 minutes on evenings and Sundays.  Route 643 also provides additional services for students at Christ’s College.

A recent review in April 2016 confirmed there is sufficient capacity; however traffic delays linked to roadworks around Archway affected these routes.  An additional bus was therefore added to route 143 in May 2016 to mitigate these delays. TfL and the operator will continue to monitor these routes and take further action as appropriate.