Victory for 533 Bus Route Campaigners
TfL confirms that stops in the Chiswick area to be reinstated
Bus route 533. Picture: YouTube
Local residents and politicians campaigning for the resumption of stops on the 533 bus route have persuaded Transport for London (TfL) to change its mind on the issue.
The service was introduced following the closure of Hammersmith Bridge to provide alterative access for people travelling between Hammersmith and Barnes along the A316.
TfL amended the service to remove all the stops in the Chiswick area in July 2021 saying that the bus needed to operate as an express service to Mortlake Cemetery.
Local bus users argued that the provision was already inadequate in this area and they received support from local politicians including Cllr John Todd and London Assembly Member Nick Rogers. A local petition calling for the cut to be reversed was also signed by over 300 residents.
TfL rejected calls for the stops to be reintroduced last November but Mr Rogers asked the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan at Mayor’s Question Time earlier this year,to relook at the issue arguing that the decision to cut the service had been taken without proper engagement with the local community in Chiswick. The Mayor promised to get his officers to relook at the decision, stating his support for improved bus availability.
Nick Rogers said, “This U-Turn by the Mayor of London is incredibly welcome news for residents in Chiswick who deserve a public transport network that works for them.
“If we are going to encourage residents to use their cars less frequently in London, it is vital that there are alternative, sustainable modes of transport. I’m delighted that TfL has listened to residents and reinstated this important public transport link.”
“This is great news for residents in Chiswick Homefields who have been fighting against the Mayor’s decision to cut the 533 service ever since it was announced last year,” said Jack Emsley, Conservative Councillor for Chiswick Homefields. “Better public transport provisions will play a major part in improving our local air quality, giving residents a sustainable alternative to car use. I’d like to pay a big tribute to Nick Rogers for his work in raising this at the London Assembly and lobbying TfL to reverse its decision on behalf of our community.”
The bus will resume stopping in Chiswick from Saturday 16 July. However, it is not all good news as the frequency of the service is to be reduced to every 17 minutes from every 15 minutes.
TfL said, "We hope that by reinstating all of the stops between Chiswick and Mortlake Cemetery on route 533, more people will be encouraged to use the service, and complete their journeys on foot or by cycle."
This change is part of a wider reorganisation of bus services operating in the Barnes area. Route 209 will be reduced in frequency from four to two buses an hour and Route 378 will be rerouted via Barnes Pond, continuing on to Church Road from Barnes High Street before turning right onto Rocks Lane and then left into Mill Hill Road. This means it will no longer serve Station Road and the West of Mill Hill Road. Route 378 will also be reduced in frequency from eight to four buses an hour.
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June 25, 2022
