Hughes welcomes London transport bus review in SE16

12.00.00am GMT Tue 5th Feb 2008

Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey, has received a positive reply from London Transport to his request for more stopping buses along Salter Road and around the Surrey Dock peninsular after the closure of the East London Line.

Following a campaign by Simon Hughes and local councillors, an online petition and collections of signatures at Rotherhithe Tube Station and local bus stops, Simon Hughes wrote on 10th January to Peter Hendy, London's Transport Commissioner, asking for the replacement buses to stop all along their Surrey Docks route.

Mr Hughes has now been told by David Brown, London Transport's Managing Director for Surface Transport, that: 'A review of the effectiveness of the alternative travel arrangements is scheduled for mid-February'. Mr Brown has assured Mr Hughes that the suggestions for more stopping buses will be considered as part of the review.

'I welcome London Transport's early willingness to look at new bus arrangements for people struggling with journeys after the closure of the East London Line. There is an overwhelming case for the replacement buses to stop at all the stops around the peninsular. London transport just must not leave it to the overcrowded 381 and C10 to take the strain. The 381 and C10 are often far too full - while tube replacement buses shoot past empty.

'I sincerely hope London Transport change the current arrangements very soon. If they don't, this is absolutely not the last that they will hear from me'.

ENDS