Newham bus routes may be adapted to serve cable car

Newham Council are looking into adapting bus routes to better serve the Thames cable car, Gallions Reach shopping centre, and North Woolwich.

The Report of the Regeneration and Employment Scrutiny Commission’s Review into Regeneration and Transport, chaired by Cllr Ted Sparrowhawk, suggested council officers work with Transport for London staff to look into improving connections in the south of the borough.

Presenting the report at Newham Town Hall on July 2, the Commission noted that while residents were generally happy with the bus network, they identified four ‘hotspots’ that could be improved.

These were the Prince Regent Lane and Newham University Hospital route which is often very congested; the bus link to Gallions Reach Shopping Centre which has limited access from Silvertown and North Woolwich; bus links to the Royal Victoria Cable Car Station which isn’t directly served by a single bus route; and increased access to Building 1000 Dockside where Newham Council are based.

Jo Negrini, Divisional Director of Strategic Planning, Regeneration, and Olympic Legacy, will update the Commission in 6 months.

The report also recommended school-based workshops and visits be set up along with an education campaign to increase contact between bus drivers and young people.

An investigation carried out by University College London pupils on Plaistow bus routes found young people were concerned about the way they were perceived by other passengers while some bus drivers complained about young people being ‘noisy and rude’.

It was suggested an ongoing community travel project, bringing together local residents, the council, TfL, and schools would “facilitate mutal respect and understanding” between the groups.

The Young People’s Board are keen to hold four meetings in Community Hubs to discuss this motion further.