Walthamstow, Wanstead, Woodford – proposed changes to bus routes W12, W13, W14 and 549

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Update 16 January 2024

Today we have published the results of this consultation. We received 863 responses to the consultation and would like to thank everyone that took part.

Following careful consideration of the feedback we received from members of the public and other stakeholders, we have decided to implement the original proposals as follows:

• Route W12 – will be restructured to operate between Coppermill Lane and Woodford Bridge via Church Hill Road as proposed
• Route W13 – will be extended to Leyton, Asda as proposed
• Route W14 – will be restructured to operate between Loughton Station and Whipps Cross Interchange as proposed
• Route 549 – will be withdrawn and replaced with the extended route W14 as proposed

It is expected that the restructuring of routes W12, W13 and W14 and withdrawal of route 549 will take place in September 2024.

Details of the feedback we received, our response to the issues raised, and more information about next steps can be found in the consultation report.

Thank you again to everyone that took part in the consultation.

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Update 31 July 2023

This consultation has now closed. Thank you to everyone who responded. We are analysing your feedback and will report back shortly.

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We are proposing to make changes to bus routes W12, W13, W14 and 549 between Walthamstow, Wanstead and Woodford areas. This is in response to feedback from our customers to improve connectivity to Whipps Cross Hospital and local areas. We are proposing to simplify the local bus network from four bus routes to three. We would restructure routes W12, W13 and W14 and withdraw route 549 to improve accessibility to Whipps Cross Hospital and other local destinations. We would also increase frequency on route W12 from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes.

On this page you can find out more about what these proposals are, how they may impact you, and how you can have your say.

Overview

What is proposed?

How these proposals may change your bus journey

Equalities Impact Assessment

How you can find out more

What happens next

Overview

Buses play a crucial role in making London a more prosperous and connected city, connecting Londoners to their workplaces, education, families, friends, shopping, and leisure. We continuously review and adapt the bus network to ensure that services reflect changing customer needs.

London’s bus network is our most affordable, accessible and available form of public transport and offers the main sustainable alternative to cars for those journeys that can’t easily be walked or cycled. It is also London’s most flexible mode of public transport, and we continuously review and adapt the bus network to ensure that services reflect changing customer needs.

Following the Mayor’s announcement that the Ultra Low Emissions Zone will be expanded London-wide in August, we are undertaking a number of bus consultations across outer London to strengthen alternatives to private cars and maximise the benefits of expanding the ULEZ.

This includes proposing adjustments to existing bus routes to ensure services are operating in areas where our customers need them most and considering where else the network should serve; and in areas where emerging redevelopment is bringing new homes and building new communities.

We have reviewed bus services in Walthamstow, Wanstead and Woodford to ensure services are meeting customer needs and have taken account of feedback from customers and stakeholders on improving accessibility to Whipps Cross Hospital particularly in light of its proposed redevelopment. We have also listened to customer feedback for improved frequency on route W12 following its reduction from buses running every 20 minutes to 30 minutes back in December 2017.

Equalities Impact Assessment

We have undertaken an initial Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) for these proposals. The EqIA identifies and examines in more detail what positive and negative impacts these proposals may have on individuals with protected characteristics together with our equality objectives and how we propose to mitigate any negative impacts.

We have noted some people may need to change bus to complete their journey as part of these proposals. We have also noted there is opportunity to create new bus journeys as part of the proposals and this will be of particular benefit to Whipps Cross Hospital as an estimated 26,000 people will be within reach of the hospital by one single bus journey. New and direct journeys would become possible from Whipps Cross Hospital to Woodford, Wanstead and Walthamstow.

We have identified that older and disabled people are more likely to be impacted by the withdrawal of the W12 from Walthamstow Village, as Freedom Pass Holders account for 44% of users in this area. It is recognised that some journeys would require a 500-metre walk to access the bus network.

The impacts and mitigations described within the EqIA be considered as part of the decision-making process on the proposals. The EqIA will be kept under review and updated to reflect any relevant new information, including information which comes in as part of the consultation process.

A copy of the full initial EqIA document can be found in the ‘Document library’.

How you can find out more

We have provided more information to help you respond, and we want this consultation to be accessible to everyone. Visit the document library for:

• A geographic map showing current and proposed routes
• A schematic map showing current and proposed routes, alongside other routes operating in the area
• A linear map of the proposed changes, alongside other routes operating in the area
• Our initial Equalities Impact Assessment document
• A copy of our consultation survey in case you would prefer to respond in writing
• An Easy Read version of our proposals
• An Easy Read version of our survey
• A British Sign Language (BSL) video about our proposals and survey

You can use the question tool on this page during the consultation period. We will respond your questions as soon as we can.

If you need to translate this page into another language, please use the ‘Select language’ button at the bottom of this page.

What happens next

These proposals are subject to the outcome of our consultation. Once consultation ends on Sunday 30 July 2023, we will spend time considering all the responses we receive and will prepare a consultation report.

The consultation report will help us reach a decision about how bus routes W12, W13, W14 and 549 may change.

The report will be available to everyone that takes part in the consultation and a copy will be published on our website.