Today Transport for London (TfL) launched a consultation on changes to the bus network in Sutton.
I have been making the case to TfL and Government about the need for better transport links to Carshalton and Wallington, including this speech I made earlier in the year where I spoke about transport, including the bus network, so I am pleased that some action is being taken to address the concerns I have been raising on your behalf.
TfL's plans for the bus network include introducing new services and re-routing some existing routes. This will significantly increase bus capacity going to and from the Sutton Hospital site, serving pupils attending Harris Academy Sutton, the Royal Marsden Hospital, the Institute for Cancer Research and the exciting new specialist emergency care hospital proposed for the site.
The headline changes for Sutton include:
- Introduce a new route S2 which would run between Belmont, High Down and Downview, St Helier Station via Belmont Station and the western part of the S4. Both routes S2 and S4 would operate at a frequency of every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes. Both routes would continue to operate every 30 minutes at evenings, and Sunday services with a frequency of every 30 minutes would be introduced.
- Re-route the S1 between Wrythe Lane and Middleton Road via Bishopsford Road and Green Wrythe Lane. This re-routeing would be necessary to enable the right turn to be undertaken by longer buses which would be used to operate on route S1. In Belmont, it would be re-routed via Cotswold Road rather than Belmont Station.
- Withdraw route S3 between Sutton Station and Belmont Station, and swap its routeing with the 470 between Sutton High Street and Sutton Common Station to provide a more direct routeing.
- Re-structure route S4 which would now run between Waddon Marsh and Belmont Station via route 455 to Mollison Drive and then via current route S4.
- Withdraw route 80 between Belmont, High Down and Downview, and Sutton Hospital. It would be converted to double decker buses to provide sufficient capacity for growing demand, particularly at its southern end. The S2 would serve High Down and Downview.
- Extend route 164 from Sutton Station to Sutton Hospital when development in that area requires additional bus capacity.
- Re-structure route 407 so that it terminates at Sutton and Croydon town centres. It would continue to operate at the same frequency.
- Withdraw route 413 between Sutton Garage and Sutton town centre and extend it from there via Bunhill Avenue and route S3 to Belmont Station.
- Withdraw route 455. The southern section of the route would be replaced by changes to routes 166 and 312. Route 312 would be extended from South Croydon to Purley Old Lodge Lane via Brighton Road. Route 166 would be re-routed between Purley and Croydon town centre via route 455. The western section would be partially replaced by changes to routes S4 and the school day only journeys on route 405.
- Re-route the 470 to run two-way via Stayton Road and Oldfields Road, which are judged more suitable for bus operation than Dibden and Marlborough Roads. This would require changes to the junction of Oldfields Road and Stayton Road.
You can find more details about the plans here. Maps of the proposals in Sutton are available below.
Please give TfL your views by completing the online consultation survey here by Sunday 29 November 2020.
Alternatively, you can:
- Email TfL at: consultations@tfl.gov.uk
- Write to TfL at: FREEPOST TFL CONSULTATIONS (Ref: Sutton - Croydon bus changes)
You can also request paper copies of plans and a response form, copies in braille, large text or another language by emailing consultations@tfl.gov.uk or writing to TfL.