72 bus on Hammersmith Broadway
An H&F community campaign against proposed bus cuts has led to TfL scrapping its plans to end our essential bus services.
Cllr Ben Coleman, Deputy Leader of H&F Council, said: "Congratulations to all those borough residents and local groups who campaigned with the council against the government-imposed cuts to local bus routes. This is a great result."
Pressure worked
In July, H&F Council made a detailed, expert objection to TfL, itemising the impact on residents of proposed cuts to individual bus routes.
This followed the government's decision not to increase TfL's funding after fares plummeted during Covid. At the time, Cllr Coleman said: "It is worrying that the government is requiring TfL to make cuts to services. Londoners shouldn't have to pay for Covid by losing their buses."
Local groups who also campaigned successfully to save the borough's buses included the H&F Youth Council, Age UK H&F, the Fulham Society, the Hammersmith Society, Fulham Good Neighbours, Fulham Cross Academy, H&F Chamber of Commerce, the Hammersmith BID and HFCyclists. Local MPs also made submissions.
Routes saved
TfL listened and changed its mind.
- The C3, 14, 72 and 74 buses have been saved, as have the night buses N27 and N74 – and the N72 will still serve Hammersmith
- TfL has withdrawn proposed changes to routes 27, 283, 328 and 430
- The 11 will still run from Fulham, with no changes to stops locally. It will terminate at Waterloo instead of Liverpool Street, replacing the 507.
Cllr Coleman added: "This result is a victory for our community. We're still disappointed that the 23 will no longer serve Hammersmith bus station, and we will continue to make the case to TfL."
H&F's original expert objection to the bus cuts can be read here (pdf 8.1MB).
In total, TfL received 21,528 responses to their consultation. A summary of their response can be read here (pdf 468KB), and the full TfL report can be read here (pdf 16.7MB).
Your voices helped
Residents joined the council and local groups in opposing a reduction in the local bus service. Here's what you told us in the summer:
I rely on the buses to get to school and into town. Especially the 74 – my journey would be way longer if the bus was to disappear for good." – Victor Ramsy
It's a terrible idea – especially for 74 and number 11. I think it's just all wrong and messed up. I think that we'll all be waiting a lot longer." – Mrs Young
The 72s will be missed because that takes you right to Hammersmith Hospital and the 283 no good as goes all round the houses. I hope they don't stop the 424s." – Mr Young
I just think we'll be waiting longer, because if you come now and you're only waiting for a 430 – it doesn't come very quickly. They have got to make it more reliable. If they change it, they've got to increase the number of buses to match." – Jemma
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