We want to help ensure route 497 is efficient and reliable and could offer a more direct service for the route in Upminster. As part of this consultation we are exploring further ideas for route 497. One idea is an alternative routeing whereby the 497 continues on Hall Lane and serves Upminster station first, before then going to Upminster Park Estate and terminating at Waycross Road. This option would mean travelling from the north to Upminster would be more direct. However, it would also mean highway changes at Waycross Road to make space for both the 497 and the 248, and the installation of driver toilets. Highway changes would be subject to agreement and would require permission from the London Borough of Havering. Therefore we are not in a position to confirm the type of driver facility we would like to introduce, or to provide details of highway changes. These key factors would require detailed discussion with Havering Council before they may or may not be progressed.

We want to help ensure route 497 is efficient and reliable and could offer a more direct service for the route in Upminster. As part of this consultation we are exploring further ideas for route 497. One idea is an alternative routeing whereby the 497 continues on Hall Lane and serves Upminster station first, before then going to Upminster Park Estate and terminating at Waycross Road. This option would mean travelling from the north to Upminster would be more direct. However, it would also mean highway changes at Waycross Road to make space for both the 497 and the 248, and the installation of driver toilets. Highway changes would be subject to agreement and would require permission from the London Borough of Havering. Therefore we are not in a position to confirm the type of driver facility we would like to introduce, or to provide details of highway changes. These key factors would require detailed discussion with Havering Council before they may or may not be progressed.

1. The routeing between Upminster Park Estate and Upminster Station, currently served by the 346, would remain unchanged as part of the proposed 497. The main proposal would provide a return service on the 497 between Upminster Station and Harold Wood with Upminster Park Estate being served first while the alternative proposal would provide a return service between Upminster Park Estate and Harold Wood with Upminster Station being served first. In both options, the 497 would operate via Moor Lane between Upminster Park Estate and Upminster Station. 

2.Of part of these proposals the hail and ride section of route 497 would remain in place. In other parts of London where we have proposed to convert parts of bus routes from hail and ride to fixed bus stops we have found this helps make bus routes more accessible, and safer for people getting on and off the bus. Fixed bus stops also allow us to provide real time bus route information. We welcome any feedback from respondents related to hail and ride on the 497 route when responding to the consultation.

The proposed future start and finish times for route 497 are still to be decided and are subject to the outcome of consultation. Should we decide to proceed with changes to route 497, we expect first and last bus times would be similar to what is currently provided on this route. The first departure on the 497 is around 05:30 while the last departure is around 23:59. Consultees are invited to share their thoughts on the hour of operation of the proposed route.

It is considered to operate the proposed future version of route 497 at 2 buses per hour or every 30 minutes. The feedback we receive from this consultation will help inform our final decision on the frequency of this route and we invite respondents to share any views they may have on this element of the proposals.