FAQs

This change was made to address safety concerns as buses were regularly getting stuck when trying to pass each other along Churchdown and Downderry Road. In some instances, buses were mounting the pavement.

Following safety investigations and route tests, an alternative route along Haddington Road was implemented to address the serious safety concerns.

This route utilises wider roads and therefore would minimise the number of passing places, changes to the pavements and any losses to residential parking bays. It also minimises any potential conflict between pedestrians and buses pulling into passing places within the previously narrow footway area.

Fixed bus stops provide accessibility benefits for passengers and ensure there is always space for buses to pull up alongside the kerb line and that drivers are able to deploy the bus boarding ramp if necessary. 

This ensures that customers with mobility impairments, along with groups such as parents with buggies, can always be confident of being able to easily board. 

In addition, fixed stops provide a greater degree of accuracy when using online journey planning apps and can help ensure buses run to time.

This approach also supports the aims of the current Mayor’s Transport Strategy which aims to improve access to the transport network for all.

We have carried out an Equalities Impact Assessment for this proposal, which acknowledged that the installation of fixed bus stops may impact on mobility impaired people as they may need to walk further to a bus stop rather than hailing the bus. However, fixed bus stops also provide accessibility benefits. Fixed stops ensure there is always space for buses to pull up alongside the kerb line and that drivers are able to deploy the bus boarding ramp if necessary. This ensures that customers with mobility impairments, along with groups such as parents with buggies, can always be confident of being able to easily board. In addition, fixed stops provide a greater degree of accuracy when using online journey planning apps and can help ensure buses run to time. We believe these advantages, particularly those which improve access to the bus network, offset any disadvantage around a short additional walk to a bus stop. 

The locations for the new fixed bus stops were identified in partnership with the London Borough of Lewisham. The locations needed to take into account the space and distances needed for a bus to safely pull into a bus stop cage, so the layout of the roads was a consideration. 

Wherever possible, bus stops are also located in places to provide a more consistent and logical bus network and to avoid causing congestion. 

TfL do not consider that the removal of the parking spaces will impact significantly on parking in the area or nearby. However, as the highway authority, the London Borough of Lewisham is responsible for the management of parking along the affected roads and it would be for them to consider whether mitigation might ultimately be required.