Longer bus route ‘may make service worse’

By Daphne Chamberlain

The 263 bus route has been extended past Archway to Holloway, but are other areas benefiting at the expense of East Finchley, and why was there apparently no proper consultation? MP Rudi Vis and East Finchley Bus Watch are among those asking questions of Transport for London.
There are concerns that, with no extra buses beyond one late night return, the 263 service will be slowed down by traffic congestion in Holloway Road, making frequency and reliability through East Finchley worse than it is now.

Lack of consultation
The Archer understands from Transport for London (TFL) that stakeholders, who include local residents, members of the public, MPs, local authorities and police, should be consulted before any route changes are made. East Finchley Bus Watch were placed on the stakeholders’ list in December 2007, but secretary Hazel Burnett told us that they had not been consulted about this change, and were “stunned” when TFL’s letter announcing the change of route was passed to them by Haringey stakeholders in January.

In this letter (seen by The Archer), TFL announced that the extension provides better links between Highgate and Holloway, areas already linked by the 43 service. They also said the current 263 service met demand, although the TFL Users’ Committee reported four years ago that the service between East and North Finchley was inadequate.
Hazel Burnett wants to know exactly which stakeholders were consulted. She said: “The southern part of the route will be riddled with buses, at the expense of service users at the northern end, who only have the one bus.”

Northern extensions needed
East Finchley Bus Watch has been campaigning for the 17 route to be extended beyond Archway to its original terminus at North Finchley. This would provide another service along the High Road and also a bus link not only with Holloway but also with King’s Cross and London Bridge.

A bus route running beyond Archway would be welcome. Rudi Vis has reminded TFL that East Finchley has been asking for the past 20 years for a direct bus to the West End and the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead, but also for an increased service on the 263 route, particularly on the northern end, where it is the only public transport available.

The Archer invited TFL to comment but at the time of going to press they had not replied.
 

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