Richard Wilson

I’d like to thank all the local residents who completed our W3 Bus survey, which has enabled us to tell Transport for London (TfL) what passengers think about the route.  TfL are holding a review of the route, and we have sent the results into their consultation so Stroud Green residents views are considered.

We had over 50 responses, and the results were:

• 66% think that a lack of bus countdown displays at some stops is a problem.
• 54% say that buses are too full at rush hour
• 54% want better information about big delays on the route
• 36% think that the wait between buses is too long
• 36% are concerned about anti-social behaviour on the bus
• 36% say that elderly residents are not given enough time to board and sit down.
• 22% believe that bus drivers speeding is a problem
• And 20% are fed up with all the road works on the route

As your local councillors, its incredibly useful to know what passengers’ top concerns are – so we can raise these with TfL and the bus companies at every opportunity.   The W3 is a fantastic route and we will fight to improve it further.

I am a big fan of the W3 Bus, which I use regularly as it travels the length of Stroud Green ward from Weston Park to Finsbury Park Station (so much of a fan I put it at the top of my website!).  However, I know it can sometimes be frustrating with recent road works and diversions causing delays – and buses being jammed in the morning rush hour.

The thing that really annoys me sometimes is the lack of information at Finsbury Park, particularly when there is a problem with the bus route – What’s the point of having a Tannoy in the bus station if its only ever used to tell people not to skateboard?!

Anyway, now people have a chance to have their say, because Transport for London (TfL) have announced a review of the route.  To find out people’s view Ed Butcher and I have produced a W3 Bus survey which we’ve been delivering across the ward over the last few weeks.  But if you haven’t had a copy yet then please email me, or just post your comments on the W3 on this page.

TfL’s deadline for responses is this Friday (12th) March.  Ed and I will be summarising the responses and sending them on to TfL in a few days time.

As everyone who commutes on the Victoria Line knows, it is horrendously overcrowded -running at absolute full capacity at peak times. Routinely it is physically impossible for Haringey residents to squeeze on trains at Finsbury Park in the morning.  I would have hoped that the Council would have been fighting to relieve these cattle truck conditions, and would be warning property developers against big new housing developments at Seven Sisters and Tottenham Hale that risk worsening an already dire situation.
 
However, papers that went to a recent Planning Committee showed that the Council was doing the opposite, and instead giving developers the green light by telling them that there is ample free capacity on our tube trains for new commuters. 
 
Unbelievably, planning officers have since told me that the transport study they are relying on shows that-

‘the Victoria tube line would have residual capacity of some 52 and 69 per cent in the morning and evening peak hours’.

I’ve asked officers to clarify what exactly that this jargon means (no response so far), but it seems to me they are saying that there is over 50% spare capacity in the peak morning period!  What fantasyland is the Council living in if they think the Victoria Line is half empty at rush hour?
 
I’ve also asked a whole load of extra questions to find out what the Council is playing at – and have asked to see this strange transport study.  I think it deserves scrutiny, as I dread to think what the Victoria Line would be like if Haringey Council had its way and doubled passenger numbers!