Greg Hands Launches Petition To Save Local Bus Routes


Says number 11 is one of London's most important route despite being slowest

The number 11 bus stuck in traffic
The number 11 bus stuck in traffic

Greg Hands MP has launched a petition to save threatened bus routes in his constituency including London's slowest bus after TfL revealed plans to axe it. The number 11 he’s battling to protect with another Tory MP can take up to 80 minutes to travel from Fulham to Central London.

The Chelsea and Fulham MP Greg Hands along with the Cities of London and Westminster MP Nickie Aiken have called for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to protect the bus from being scrapped. The Mayor says the cuts are being forced on him due to the cuts to services required to receive continued funding from the government.

The number 11 travels from Fulham Broadway to Liverpool Street and has the title of London’s slowest bus, narrowly beating the number 14 to the spot earlier this year. The route is also the only bus to go from Westminster into the City of London.

TfL’s bus speed figures show the average speed on the 11 was just 6.4mph – roughly a jogging pace. The bus arrives every seven to 10 minutes.

Both of the slowest buses are under threat if Transport for London if forced to make cuts. The transport body could cut up to 20 per cent of bus services in Central London to help it balance its books amid negotiations with the government.

TfL has warned it may have to cut routes where travellers have been declining since 2014 when its government bailout expires on 24 June. As many as 250 buses and 16 routes could be taken off London’s roads.

Tory MP Greg Hands describe the 11 as “one of London’s most important routes that brings commuters from [his] constituency in Chelsea and Fulham into Central London. It has been a key part of the fabric for more than 100 years.”

Hammersmith and Fulham could lose the 11, N11, 14, 31, 74, N74, C3 buses if cuts are made. Calling for Londoners to sign his petition Mr Hands wrote, “Many local residents rely on these buses to get to work, to medical appointments or to shop.

“The disruption to these established routes means forcing people back to using cars or massively increased travel times using busier buses, with day-to-day commuters, disabled people and parents with pushchairs vying for limited space.”

Transport for London has been contacted for comment.

Jacob Phillips - Local Democracy Reporter

 

June 24, 2022