Key priorities to improve bus and train services in the South West London borough have been put forward
More trains, double decker buses and Night Tube services are among Richmond Council’s priorities for improving public transport in South West London.
Richmond Council has set out the improvements to bus and train services it wants to see in the borough, after carrying out a review. While Transport for London (TfL) operates buses and South Western Railway (SWR) runs most trains in Richmond, the council can lobby these operators for upgrades to the services and work towards them.
Council officers have published a report to be used as the basis of a new public transport plan for Richmond, which will be reviewed annually once finalised.
The report said good public transport was repeatedly raised by businesses as “necessary to support the economic vitality of town centres and high streets, to reduce motor traffic and support sustainable growth”.
The council’s priorities for train services in Richmond involve securing the operation of at least four trains an hour at off-peak times between Barnes and Hounslow via Richmond and at least two trains an hour – rising to four – at Fulwell and Hampton.
The priorities involve securing step-free access at Kew Gardens, North Sheen and Hampton Wick stations, upgrading station waiting areas and information and improving connections from stations to town centres, high streets and bus stops.
The report said the council hopes to lobby for the extension of the Night Tube to the District line, along with better infrastructure and signalling on Underground services.
On top of this, the authority’s priorities for bus services in Richmond include improving coverage and frequency in areas of low public transport accessibility – particularly Heathfield, Hampton and Ham – and reliability across all routes.
They also involve resolving bus-related problems in Barnes caused by the closure of Hammersmith Bridge and supporting single deck services becoming double deck services where frequency is not expected to increase, including on routes 110, 490, H22 and R70.
The introduction of a direct bus route linking Twickenham with Kingston is included in the vision, although this is not a short-term prospect, along with supporting the conversion of all buses to electric by 2030 instead of 2034.
Officers are also auditing all bus stops in Richmond to draw up plans to improve those most in need of upgrades.
The council has already won cash from TfL for the following projects to improve bus reliability:
- Pinch point removal, signs and lining, parking amendments along the SL7 route (various locations): £50,000
- Review of road layout along the SL7 route on Park Road, Teddington, to remove pinch points, including potential removal of mini-roundabout with Queens Road: £120,000
- Conversion of existing ‘hail and ride’ operation to eight new fixed bus stops on Lonsdale Road, Barnes: £250,000
- Possible extension of bus lanes and extension of bus lane hours to improve bus reliability and speeds through Twickenham town centre: £50,000
- Focus on collision reduction with bus priority, new crossings and level pedestrian access on A305 Sheen Road/Upper Richmond Road: £50,000
- Extension of bus lane hours at Cross Deep, Twickenham: £100,000
- Review of buses on Teddington High Street: £50,000
The report said: “Whilst many people have experiences of poor bus and rail journeys, data indicates that reliability of services is relatively good. However, the main issue for the borough are low levels of service frequency and coverage, making public transport an unattractive or non-existent option for many trips. On top of this, many trips cannot be made by rail due to stations being inaccessible for many people.
“Current levels and quality of public transport therefore restrict the extent to which mode shift from the car can be achieved, as there is a limit to which journeys can be undertaken by walking and cycling alone. The council will seek to improve public transport in the borough through the development of a public transport plan, guided by this report, the council’s new transport strategy and any views of the committee.”
The council’s transport committee will discuss the report on June 9.
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