Residents of Walthamstow Village are up in arms over recent changes to bus routes in the area, leaving many pensioners disgusted and forced to resort to taking taxis for their transportation needs. The alterations to bus services in Walthamstow Village, including the axing of routes 549, W12, W13, and W14, have raised concerns among locals who rely on accessible public transport options. These changes, which went into effect on Saturday, September 7, have sparked a wave of discontent and frustration among residents and officials alike.
Concerns have been mounting since the implementation of the new bus route changes, prompting Conservative London Assembly member Keith Prince to voice his worries about the impact of the alterations on school children to Mayor Sadiq Khan. In response, Mr. Khan defended the changes as part of a broader effort to create a simpler, more frequent, and comprehensive network of buses in the area. However, the repercussions of these changes are being keenly felt by residents of Walthamstow Village.
One of the most significant changes affecting locals is the rerouting of the W12 bus, which previously connected residents to Wanstead and Whipps Cross Hospital. The W12 now runs between Walthamstow, Coppermill Lane, and Woodford Bridge, bypassing Walthamstow Village entirely. This rerouting has left many residents, particularly older individuals and those with mobility issues, struggling to access public transportation. The nearest bus stop to Walthamstow Village is now situated on Church Hill, nearly 500 meters away from the village’s central location on Orford Road, posing challenges for those unable to walk long distances.
To alleviate the impact of the bus route changes, Transport for London (TfL) has increased the frequency of the W12 service. During daytime hours on weekdays and Saturdays, the service now runs every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes. Similarly, the evening and Sunday services have been enhanced to operate every 15 minutes, providing more frequent options for commuters. Despite these efforts to mitigate the effects of the route alterations, many residents continue to voice their dissatisfaction with the changes.
An online petition has been circulating to save the W12 bus route through Walthamstow Village, highlighting the fact that 44% of bus users in the area are Older Person’s Freedom Pass holders. A survey conducted by MyLondon revealed that older residents of Walthamstow Village are struggling to adapt to the new route changes, with many expressing disappointment and frustration over the lack of accessible public transportation options in the area.
One resident of Walthamstow Village, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed her disappointment at the lack of consultation regarding the bus route changes, particularly given the impact on older and disabled individuals in the community. Another resident, Karen Norris, shared her concerns about the difficulties she now faces in accessing essential services and visiting friends due to the rerouting of the W12 bus. The changes have forced many residents to navigate longer distances on foot to reach alternative bus stops, posing challenges for those with mobility issues or health conditions.
Gordon Harnett, an 80-year-old resident of Walthamstow Village, expressed his outrage at the changes, emphasizing the impact on pensioners in the area who rely on public transportation for their daily needs. With the nearest bus stop now further away from the village center, many residents are finding it difficult to access essential services, such as Whipps Cross Hospital, without the convenience of the W12 bus route. Mr. Harnett highlighted the added burden on disabled community members and individuals with pushchairs, who now face increased challenges in navigating the revised bus routes.
In response to the backlash, TfL defended the changes as part of a broader effort to improve access to public transportation and create a more efficient bus network in the area. The doubling of the frequency of the W12 route was cited as a key improvement, aimed at benefiting tens of thousands of local residents and enhancing connectivity to vital services like Whipps Cross Hospital. Despite these assurances, residents of Walthamstow Village remain dissatisfied with the alterations and continue to advocate for the reinstatement of the previous bus routes to better serve the community.
As the debate over the bus route changes in Walthamstow Village rages on, residents are grappling with the impact of reduced accessibility and increased challenges in navigating public transportation options. The struggle faced by pensioners and individuals with mobility issues highlights the importance of maintaining accessible and convenient bus services for all members of the community. While efforts to enhance the frequency of the W12 route are a step in the right direction, further dialogue and collaboration between residents, officials, and TfL are essential to address the concerns and ensure that public transportation remains a reliable and inclusive option for all.
