Wandsworth Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for transport, Cllr Jonathan Cook, has presented a petition from residents and businesses to TfL today as part of the council’s campaign to save a popular bus route.
The number 19 bus runs from Battersea Bridge Road to Finsbury Park and is a well-used route connecting thousands of people every day from the borough to central and north London.
Under proposals put forward by the Mayor the route will be changed so it only runs from Finsbury Park to Holborn where it will terminate.
Cllr Cook visited Tfl headquarters today where he handed over the petition containing more than 2,200 signatures calling for the bus route to be saved.
Wandsworth Council has also produced a video showing just how important the route is, linking Battersea to the West End and north London.
Cllr Cook said: “We are campaigning to save this route and the petition is clear indication about how strongly people feel about this.
“If you watch the video it shows just what a vital route this is and by taking it out of the borough it will have a real impact on people who rely on the service.
“Under Tfl proposals 5,200 trips each day will now require passengers to change bus, where previously their journey was direct
“If the bus route changes passengers will be faced with longer journey times and additional changes and waiting at bus stops, which will obviously have an impact on older people, the disabled and parents travelling with children.
“It is just not acceptable to taking this route away from people who really need it and cause them so much disruption.”
He added: “At a time when there are new and proposed developments in the area demand for bus services is only going to increase, especially bearing in mind we already have a lack of rail and tube alternatives in that part of north Battersea.
“Our council, and the people of Wandsworth, are urging the Mayor and TfL to see sense here, listen to our residents and protect this route.”