R1, R2, R3, R6 and B14 – Orpington bus proposals
Consultation has concluded
Update 29 May 2024
Today we have published our decision and response to the key issues raised in relation to bus routes R6 and B14, which were proposed for restructure as part of the Orpington bus proposals consultation.
We have decided to proceed with changes to bus routes R6 and B14 as set out in the consultation under Proposal 3. The B14 bus route will be extended, replacing the R6 between St Mary Cray and Orpington bus station, which will no longer run. The updated B14 route will operate between Bexleyheath Shopping centre and Orpington Bus Station. The service changes are expected to take place during spring 2025. These will be supported with customer information nearer to the time.
You can read more about the proposals and the decisions we have reached in the consultation report and addendum.
Thank you again to everyone that took park in the consultation.
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Update 11 March 2024
Today we have published the results of this consultation. We received 445 responses to the consultation and would like to thank everyone that took part.
Following careful consideration of the consultation responses and a further review of what was proposed and the costs involved, we have decided not to proceed with changes to routes R1, R2 and R3 as these no longer represent value for money.
We have not yet reached a decision as to how we may proceed with changes to routes R6 and B14 which remain subject to the receipt of bus operator costs. A decision is expected later in 2024 and we will write to you again with a further update once this is available.
Thank you again to everyone that took part in the consultation.
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Update 7 November 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’re proposing changes to some Orpington bus services and would like to hear your views. These include changes to bus routes R1, R3, and B14 which would see them replace routes R2 and R6.
On this page you can find out more about the proposals, how they may impact you, and how you can have your say.
Bus routes serving Orpington town centre
Route proposals in detail
Equalities Impact Assessment
Background
How you can find out more
Tell us your views
What happens next
Bus routes serving Orpington town centre
Our proposals aim to provide some new and improved local bus connections in Orpington.
These could help encourage more use of public transport, while continuing to provide regular bus services to popular destinations in the area.
These include, between:
- The Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) and Petts Wood rail station
- Petts Wood and Green Street Green
- Biggin Hill Valley and Orpington rail station
- Biggin Hill Valley and St Mary Cray rail station
- Areas east of Orpington High Street, north towards Bexleyheath and Sidcup
Route proposals in detail
These proposals are presented in three sections for quick access to the information that interests you. You can view the proposals for each section via the links below:
1. Proposal to reroute the R3 via Towncourt Lane in Petts Wood
2. Proposal to withdraw the R2 and replace it with changes to the R1 and the R3
3. Proposal to withdraw the R6 and replace it with changes to the B14
The following map provides an overview of the proposed route changes. More maps can be viewed in detail via the maps section to the right of this page.
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.
The impacts and mitigations described within the full EqIA will be considered as part of the decision-making process to determine whether we will proceed with 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.
The full document is available to read and download from the document library.
Background
We continuously review and adapt the bus network to reflect changing customer needs. This includes proposing adjustments to bus existing routes, to ensure services can continue to operate efficiently in areas where our customers need them most.
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. You can read more about how we are increasing the number of bus journeys by making bus travel better, quicker, and greener in our Bus action plan.
How you can find out more
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.
We have provided more information to help you respond. Visit the maps and document library for:
- Maps, diagrams and route guides
- A Word and PDF version of the 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
Connecting with London's deaf community on our consultations
To further enhance how we engage and consult with London's deaf community we are trialling a British Sign Language (BSL) consultation conversation service for this consultation. This service will allow the TfL consultation lead to have a two-way BSL translated discussion on any aspect of this consultation with a BSL speaker.
To request a BSL consultation conversation please contact us at haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk and we will be in contact to arrange this at a convenient time. Following this trial, we will evaluate the service to determine if this is something we are able to offer on other consultations in the future.
What happens next
These proposals are subject to the outcome of our consultation. Once consultation ends on Wednesday 1 November 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 R1, R2, R3, R6 and B14 may change in Orpington.
The report will be available to everyone that takes part in the consultation and a copy will be published on our website.
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Proposal to reroute the R3 via Towncourt Lane in Petts Wood
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Petts Wood rail station is a key destination for people using bus route R3 with over one third of all passengers typically boarding or alighting at the station.This is also an important bus route for access to and from the Princess Royal University Hospital and the station.
Current route Proposed route Bus route R3 currently operates between the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) and Orpington rail station
This proposal relates to the section of the R3 between Towncourt Lane and Tudor Way, where the route loops round to serve bus stops in the residential area south and west of Petts Wood rail station
Also see our proposal to withdraw the R2 and replace it with changes to the R1 and the R3
From PRUH - towards Petts Wood rail station:
- The R3 would continue along Towncourt Lane onto Queensway to serve Petts Wood station, instead of turning left onto Shepperton Road
- Then continue along Queensway, turning left onto Franks Wood Avenue to loop round and continue as normal
- Then turn left at the end of Shepperton Road onto Towncourt Lane
- Then turn right onto Tudor Way to its normal line of route
From the east - Orpington rail station – towards PRUH
The R3 would continue along Tudor Way
- Turn left onto Towncourt Lane
- Then turn right onto Shepperton Road
- Then continue along Shepperton Road and Chesham Avenue to loop round and continue as normal towards Petts Wood rail station
Bus stops S and N Towncourt Lane/ Jersey Drive
- If this route change was made as proposed, bus stops S and N on Towncourt Lane (for Jersey Drive) would be served twice in each direction.
- We propose to simplify the bus route and remove potential confusion for passengers. Subject to agreement with the London Borough of Bromley we would like to relocate bus stops S and N and replace them two new sets of bus stops:
- on Queensway before its junction with Towncourt Lane; and
- on Towncourt Lane south of Shepperton Road
- The relocation of bus stops would also improve the distance between bus stops on nearby routes 208 and R7
The following map shows what is proposed:
How this may change your bus journey
We would like to make you aware of the following expected impacts if we were to change route R3 in the Petts Wood area as proposed. For full details please read the Initial Equalities Impact Assessment document:
- Overall, more passengers would benefit from a faster journey time in the Petts Wood area
- Passengers using the R3 between the PRUH and Crofton Lane – Petts Wood rail station would have improved access to the station and faster journey, saving approximately 10 minutes
- Passengers using the R3 between Faringdon Avenue, Almond Way and Whitebeam Avenue – Petts Wood rail station would have a more frequent bus service as this proposal would double the service to and from the station
- Passengers west of Petts Wood rail station would need to cross to the opposite side of the road to access the station.
- Through passengers, not using the R3 to access Petts Wood rail station, and passengers from within the loop travelling to the PRUH may see an increased journey time of approximately 90 seconds
- Passengers using the R3 from Chesham Avenue to access Petts Wood rail station would see an increased journey time of approximately nine minutes
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Proposal to withdraw the R2 and replace it with changes to the R1 and the R3
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We want to better match bus services to customer demand on routes R1, R2 and R3.These proposals are designed to help us operate a more efficient bus service in the area that better reflects the number of customers using the service, without the need to reduce the number of buses per hour.
We also aim to improve local bus connections with the creation of some new journey links and improvements to the R1 and R3 timetables.
Current route Proposed route R1
Grovelands Road, St Paul’s Cray
- High Street/Worlds End Lane, Green Street Green
R1
Grovelands Road, St Paul’s Cray
– East Hill, Biggin Hill Valley
- Via Orpington rail station and the current R2 bus route
- No longer serving stops between Orpington rail station and Green Street Green
Current route Proposed route R2
Orpington Walnuts Centre
– East Hill, Biggin Hill Valley
R2 - Would no longer run
- Route covered by proposed changes to the R1 and the R3
Current route Proposed route R3
Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH)
- Orpington rail station
Also see our proposal to reroute the R3 in Petts Wood
R3
Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH)
- Green Street Green
- Extend the R3 from Orpington rail station to Green Street Green
- Via Orpington rail station and the current R1 bus route if it were to be rerouted as proposed
Geographic map showing what is proposed:
(Click on the map for larger image)
How this may change your bus journey- The following bus stops would no longer be served by routes R1, R2, or R3: Orpington Police Station (stop Q), Spur Road/Orpington War Memorial (stop N), and Orpington Walnuts Centre (stop X). As a result, passengers may need to access alternative local bus stops between 200-300 metres away and Orpington Police station would no longer be served by buses
- The R1 would no longer serve Orpington rail station (stop G) and Orpington bus station (stops E and F) – alternative stops would be located along Crofton Road. Some passengers would need to cross the road via a pedestrian crossing for access to the station
- Approximately 3% of passengers currently using the R1 would need to change bus at Orpington High Street to complete their journey
- New connections by bus would become possible between north of St Mary Cray Rail station, to the west of Orpington to Biggin Hill Valley
- A new Sunday service where the R1 replaces the R2 between Biggin Hill Valley and Orpington bus station
- Monday to Saturday daytimes - three buses per hour instead of two buses per hour where the R1 replaces the R2
Click here to return to the main page -
Proposal to withdraw the R6 and replace it with changes to the B14
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We want to better match bus services to customer demand on routes R6 and B14.These proposals are designed to help us operate a more efficient bus service in the area that better reflects the number of customers using the service, without the need to reduce the number of buses per hour.
We also aim to improve local bus connections with the creation of some new journey links and improved timetables.
The maps below include route R11 to demonstrate how the local bus network would be maintained if the R6 were to no longer run.
Current route Proposed route R6
Orpington bus station
- St Mary Cray rail station
R6
Would no longer run
- Route covered by proposed changes to the B14
Current route Proposed route B14
Orpington bus station
– Bexleyheath shopping centre
B14
Orpington bus station
- Bexleyheath shopping centre
- Via the current R6 bus route if it were to no longer run
- The B14 would directly replace the R6 between St Mary Cray and Orpington bus station
- Passengers using the B14 for direct journeys between St Mary Cray – Orpington High Street could continue to do so via the R11
Geographic map showing what is proposed:
How this may change your bus journey
- There would be no gaps in the local bus network if routes were to change as proposed, however some customers may see their usual route number change
- Passengers between St Mary Cray station and Orpington station would have one less direct bus route between the two stations, via Cray Avenue. This journey would still be possible via routes 51 and R11
- Approximately 5% of passengers currently using the B14 may see a longer journey time, and may choose to transfer to the R11 for a more direct route
- Approximately 1% of passengers currently use the B14 for stops between St Mary Cray station - Cray Avenue - Orpington station. Under these proposals they would need to change bus to complete their journey
- towards Orpington: bus interchange would be possible at St Mary Cray station (stop SA) and High Street/Orpington Memorial (stop S).
- towards Bexleyheath: bus interchange would be possible at St Mary Cray station (stop SB) and Orpington Walnuts Centre (stop T)
- New connections by bus would become possible between north of St Mary Cray Rail station, to the west of Orpington to Biggin Hill Valley
- An increase from one to two buses per hour on Sundays where the B14 replaces the R6
- Monday to Saturday evenings - an increase from one to two buses per hour on where the B14 replaces the R6
The following diagram also indicates how the local bus network may look if it were to change as proposed. (Route R11 is included for information only. This route is not subject to change.)
