Brixton bus stops for destinations in Tulse Hill and West Norwood are set to be put back near the Tube.
An answer to a question from a councillor at tomorrow’s (19 January) full Lambeth council meeting will say that Transport for London (TfL) has agreed the move “in principle” and that it will take place “in the near future”.
Tulse Hill councillor Mary Atkins has asked councillors Mahamed Hashi and Danny Adilypour, cabinet members for sustainable transport, environment and clean air for an update on progress after a petition calling for the move got more than 1,000 signatures in three weeks.
Tulse Hill residents started the petition calling for the council to pressure TfL to reinstate the bus stops to Tulse Hill and West Norwood from to central Brixton.
They were removed as an emergency Covid measure designed to prevent crowding.
But this meant that the nearest stops to the Tube are before Brixton police station and after Windrush Square on Effra Road.
The Effra Road stop has seen considerable crowding during the pandemic.
The reply from councillors Hashi and Adilypour says that, before the pandemic began, TfL was planning to group Brixton Road bus stops by destination – a move supported by council officers.
However, these plans were disrupted by the urgent need to introduce social distancing measures.
TfL widened the pavement on Brixton Road to allow more space for passengers to get on and off buses safely, but closed bus stops near the Tube serving Tulse Hill and West Norwood.
“This was a temporary measure and the council has consistently advocated for the reversal of this change at the earliest opportunity,” the councillors say.
The petitioners said:
- Disabled residents are unable to get from the Tube to current bus stops
- Visitors are unable to find the current bus stops;
- People expect to get home from the Brixton town centre more easily, safely and quickly;
- The current distance is too far, especially for the elderly, disabled and people carrying heavy shopping / bags, children’s buggies, etc.;
- The Coldharbour Lane crossing to get to Effra Road stop is extremely hazardous;
- The Effra Road pavement is narrow, frequently becomes congested and does not allow for disabled and elderly persons to stop and rest.
Cllr Atkins says that, in addition to the original reasons for the petition, residents have contacted councillors about the concerns around women’s and young people’s safety, as well as the difficulties of getting across Windrush square, itself subject to complaints about poor lighting.
The council has asked TfL to retain the widened pavement at Brixton Road because it provides a significant benefit to pedestrians at a very crowded location.
