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

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Consultation has concluded

Geographic map showing new routes for 549, W12, W13, W14(click map for larger image)

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  • Route 549 – will be withdrawn and replaced with the extended route W14 as proposed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.

-update ends-

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.

-update ends-

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:

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.

Geographic map showing new routes for 549, W12, W13, W14(click map for larger image)

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.

-update ends-

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.

-update ends-

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:

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.

Consultation has concluded
  • Share Will the current school double deck journeys from Leytonstone/Woodford Wells still continue if proposals go ahead? Will the school double deck journeys start from Leyton, Superstores? on Facebook Share Will the current school double deck journeys from Leytonstone/Woodford Wells still continue if proposals go ahead? Will the school double deck journeys start from Leyton, Superstores? on Twitter Share Will the current school double deck journeys from Leytonstone/Woodford Wells still continue if proposals go ahead? Will the school double deck journeys start from Leyton, Superstores? on Linkedin Email Will the current school double deck journeys from Leytonstone/Woodford Wells still continue if proposals go ahead? Will the school double deck journeys start from Leyton, Superstores? link

    Will the current school double deck journeys from Leytonstone/Woodford Wells still continue if proposals go ahead? Will the school double deck journeys start from Leyton, Superstores?

    Louis Leonard asked 10 months ago

    The existing routeing of the W13 between Leytonstone and Woodford Wells would be unchanged as part of its proposed extension to Leyton. The double-deck school journeys would be retained but it is proposed not to extend the journeys to Leyton and operate them between Leytonstone and Woodford Wells only.

    w13
    w13
  • Share If the W12 is rerouted along Church Hill Road is it going to stop at the stops in that road? on Facebook Share If the W12 is rerouted along Church Hill Road is it going to stop at the stops in that road? on Twitter Share If the W12 is rerouted along Church Hill Road is it going to stop at the stops in that road? on Linkedin Email If the W12 is rerouted along Church Hill Road is it going to stop at the stops in that road? link

    If the W12 is rerouted along Church Hill Road is it going to stop at the stops in that road?

    WVillager asked 10 months ago

    The proposed W12 would stop at the existing stops on Church Hill Road and Prospect Hill already served by route 212.

    w12
    w12
  • Share Elderly people in Loughton and Buckhurst Hill have no access to free underground travel, unlike people In Woodford. We only have free bus travel therefore if you take away the 549 bus you take away our link to W12, W14 and access to other facilities. Does this mean the peripheral areas of London are even more marginalised than the London boroughs? I think this is a foregone conclusion on Facebook Share Elderly people in Loughton and Buckhurst Hill have no access to free underground travel, unlike people In Woodford. We only have free bus travel therefore if you take away the 549 bus you take away our link to W12, W14 and access to other facilities. Does this mean the peripheral areas of London are even more marginalised than the London boroughs? I think this is a foregone conclusion on Twitter Share Elderly people in Loughton and Buckhurst Hill have no access to free underground travel, unlike people In Woodford. We only have free bus travel therefore if you take away the 549 bus you take away our link to W12, W14 and access to other facilities. Does this mean the peripheral areas of London are even more marginalised than the London boroughs? I think this is a foregone conclusion on Linkedin Email Elderly people in Loughton and Buckhurst Hill have no access to free underground travel, unlike people In Woodford. We only have free bus travel therefore if you take away the 549 bus you take away our link to W12, W14 and access to other facilities. Does this mean the peripheral areas of London are even more marginalised than the London boroughs? I think this is a foregone conclusion link

    Elderly people in Loughton and Buckhurst Hill have no access to free underground travel, unlike people In Woodford. We only have free bus travel therefore if you take away the 549 bus you take away our link to W12, W14 and access to other facilities. Does this mean the peripheral areas of London are even more marginalised than the London boroughs? I think this is a foregone conclusion

    Beyondthepale asked 11 months ago

    The withdrawal of route 549 is compensated by a revised W14 that would replace it in its entirety and extend it to Snaresbrook and Whipps Cross. The revised W14 would operate every hour Monday to Sunday instead of every 90 minutes Monday to Saturday. Existing passengers on route 549 will be able to travel on the revised W14 to get to their usual destinations.

    549,w14
    549 w14
  • Share Hi ...will any bus still travel down St Barnabas rd and stop at the wansford road bus stop J please Thanks Tony on Facebook Share Hi ...will any bus still travel down St Barnabas rd and stop at the wansford road bus stop J please Thanks Tony on Twitter Share Hi ...will any bus still travel down St Barnabas rd and stop at the wansford road bus stop J please Thanks Tony on Linkedin Email Hi ...will any bus still travel down St Barnabas rd and stop at the wansford road bus stop J please Thanks Tony link

    Hi ...will any bus still travel down St Barnabas rd and stop at the wansford road bus stop J please Thanks Tony

    Tony Evans asked 11 months ago

    The proposed route W12 would stop at the "Wansford Road" stop on St Barnabas Road. It would replace the existing W14 at the same frequency and connect it to South Woodford, Wanstead, Leytonstone, Whipps Cross and Walthamstow.

    w12
    w12
  • Share Could you please confirm whether the proposed route for the W12 between Wanstead and Leytonstone is the same as the current W14 route (as opposed to other routes between these two stations such as the 145 or 66). Thank you. on Facebook Share Could you please confirm whether the proposed route for the W12 between Wanstead and Leytonstone is the same as the current W14 route (as opposed to other routes between these two stations such as the 145 or 66). Thank you. on Twitter Share Could you please confirm whether the proposed route for the W12 between Wanstead and Leytonstone is the same as the current W14 route (as opposed to other routes between these two stations such as the 145 or 66). Thank you. on Linkedin Email Could you please confirm whether the proposed route for the W12 between Wanstead and Leytonstone is the same as the current W14 route (as opposed to other routes between these two stations such as the 145 or 66). Thank you. link

    Could you please confirm whether the proposed route for the W12 between Wanstead and Leytonstone is the same as the current W14 route (as opposed to other routes between these two stations such as the 145 or 66). Thank you.

    cliveas asked 11 months ago

    The routeing between the proposed W12 and existing W14 would be identical between Wanstead and Green Man Roundabout. The proposed W12 would serve the northern side of Leytonstone Station instead of the southern side as currently served by the W14.

    w12,w14
    w12 w14
  • Share W12/W14 Bus route replacement. Will there still be sections where passengers can flag down the bus / request stops in between the official bus stops? on Facebook Share W12/W14 Bus route replacement. Will there still be sections where passengers can flag down the bus / request stops in between the official bus stops? on Twitter Share W12/W14 Bus route replacement. Will there still be sections where passengers can flag down the bus / request stops in between the official bus stops? on Linkedin Email W12/W14 Bus route replacement. Will there still be sections where passengers can flag down the bus / request stops in between the official bus stops? link

    W12/W14 Bus route replacement. Will there still be sections where passengers can flag down the bus / request stops in between the official bus stops?

    EvM asked 11 months ago

    Sections where passengers can request for the bus when there are no fixed bus stops are called Hail and Ride (H&R). There are three H&R sections on route W12 around Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow Village and Nightingale Lane Estate.

    The Coppermill Lane H&R section would be retained on route W12 and there would be a bus every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes. 

    The Walthamstow Village H&R section would be withdrawn as part of this proposal. Route W12 would instead serve the existing stops on Church Hill Road and Prospect Hill.

    The Nightingale Lane Estate H&R section would be retained and served by route W14 instead and there would be a bus every 60 minutes instead of every 30 minutes.

    Have Your Say team 

    w12,w14,hail & ride
    w12 w14 hail & ride
  • Share I mostly use the W14 to travel from the Francis Road end of Warren Road to the Odeon South Woodford on Woodford High Road. Most of this route will now be covered by the W13 but not the High Road part. Is there likely to be a stop just beyond the traffic lights there as it turns the corner? South Woodford Station is a little walk away and in any case it would probably be easier just to use the tube if the nearest stop is going to be there. on Facebook Share I mostly use the W14 to travel from the Francis Road end of Warren Road to the Odeon South Woodford on Woodford High Road. Most of this route will now be covered by the W13 but not the High Road part. Is there likely to be a stop just beyond the traffic lights there as it turns the corner? South Woodford Station is a little walk away and in any case it would probably be easier just to use the tube if the nearest stop is going to be there. on Twitter Share I mostly use the W14 to travel from the Francis Road end of Warren Road to the Odeon South Woodford on Woodford High Road. Most of this route will now be covered by the W13 but not the High Road part. Is there likely to be a stop just beyond the traffic lights there as it turns the corner? South Woodford Station is a little walk away and in any case it would probably be easier just to use the tube if the nearest stop is going to be there. on Linkedin Email I mostly use the W14 to travel from the Francis Road end of Warren Road to the Odeon South Woodford on Woodford High Road. Most of this route will now be covered by the W13 but not the High Road part. Is there likely to be a stop just beyond the traffic lights there as it turns the corner? South Woodford Station is a little walk away and in any case it would probably be easier just to use the tube if the nearest stop is going to be there. link

    I mostly use the W14 to travel from the Francis Road end of Warren Road to the Odeon South Woodford on Woodford High Road. Most of this route will now be covered by the W13 but not the High Road part. Is there likely to be a stop just beyond the traffic lights there as it turns the corner? South Woodford Station is a little walk away and in any case it would probably be easier just to use the tube if the nearest stop is going to be there.

    Felixauntie asked 11 months ago

    Route W14 currently connects Warren Road to the Odeon South Woodford with the closest pair of stops being "High Road George Lane"/"Grove Hill" on Woodford High Road.

    Route W13 would replace the W14 on Warren Road and would still connect it to the Odeon South Woodford. The closest pair of stops to this location would be "George Lane Shopping Centre" on George Lane which would be approximately 200 metres away or about a 3-minute walk.

    w13,w14
    w13 w14
  • Share How many buses an hour will the new W14 route have? on Facebook Share How many buses an hour will the new W14 route have? on Twitter Share How many buses an hour will the new W14 route have? on Linkedin Email How many buses an hour will the new W14 route have? link

    How many buses an hour will the new W14 route have?

    Sally Armitage asked 11 months ago

    It is considered to operate the proposed route W14 at 1 bus per hour or every 60 minutes. It would replace route 549 which operates every 90 minutes between Loughton and South Woodford. 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.

    w14
    w14
  • Share Why have you NEVER thought to link up Wood Street (probably the second closest station to WXH), Snaresbrook and Wanstead Stations via the Billet interchange and Snaresbrook Road. It would provide another service to the hospital from Wood Street station (where people are told to get off for WXH) and also vitally provide a link between the OVERLAND at Wood Street and the CENTRAL LINE? on Facebook Share Why have you NEVER thought to link up Wood Street (probably the second closest station to WXH), Snaresbrook and Wanstead Stations via the Billet interchange and Snaresbrook Road. It would provide another service to the hospital from Wood Street station (where people are told to get off for WXH) and also vitally provide a link between the OVERLAND at Wood Street and the CENTRAL LINE? on Twitter Share Why have you NEVER thought to link up Wood Street (probably the second closest station to WXH), Snaresbrook and Wanstead Stations via the Billet interchange and Snaresbrook Road. It would provide another service to the hospital from Wood Street station (where people are told to get off for WXH) and also vitally provide a link between the OVERLAND at Wood Street and the CENTRAL LINE? on Linkedin Email Why have you NEVER thought to link up Wood Street (probably the second closest station to WXH), Snaresbrook and Wanstead Stations via the Billet interchange and Snaresbrook Road. It would provide another service to the hospital from Wood Street station (where people are told to get off for WXH) and also vitally provide a link between the OVERLAND at Wood Street and the CENTRAL LINE? link

    Why have you NEVER thought to link up Wood Street (probably the second closest station to WXH), Snaresbrook and Wanstead Stations via the Billet interchange and Snaresbrook Road. It would provide another service to the hospital from Wood Street station (where people are told to get off for WXH) and also vitally provide a link between the OVERLAND at Wood Street and the CENTRAL LINE?

    Lano4606 asked 11 months ago

    We keep the network under review and have been working alongside LB Waltham Forest to improve bus services to Whipps Cross notably as part of the redevelopment of the hospital. The proposal for routes W12, W13, W14 and 549 forms part of this process. 

    There are already existing links between the overground stations at Wood Street and Leyton Midland Road and the Central Line at Leytonstone via route W16.

  • Share This may work but the new route of W14 servicing Nightingale estate needs to be more frequent. Why only every hour? It is a very busy route especially at school times. on Facebook Share This may work but the new route of W14 servicing Nightingale estate needs to be more frequent. Why only every hour? It is a very busy route especially at school times. on Twitter Share This may work but the new route of W14 servicing Nightingale estate needs to be more frequent. Why only every hour? It is a very busy route especially at school times. on Linkedin Email This may work but the new route of W14 servicing Nightingale estate needs to be more frequent. Why only every hour? It is a very busy route especially at school times. link

    This may work but the new route of W14 servicing Nightingale estate needs to be more frequent. Why only every hour? It is a very busy route especially at school times.

    CjC asked 11 months ago

    As the existing contract on route W12 is coming to an end, the existing vehicles will be replaced by newer ones depending on the results of the consultation.