Havering (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Julia Lopez MP supports demands for the new east London Superloop bus to include a stop in Hornchurch, Havering, challenging plans to route it via Elm Park.
It follows a meeting last month where Healthwatch Havering urged transport executives to reevaluate the suggested route of the SL12 bus between Gants Hill and Rainham.
The express service would traverse east London, making stops in Gants Hill, Newbury Park, Romford, and Elm Park, according to plans presented by Transport for London (TfL).
However, an alternate route will “benefit far more people,” according to a joint health committee last month that was attended by four east London councils: Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, and Waltham Forest.
Healthwatch Havering director Ian Buckmaster urged council members to support his proposals to move the bus from Elm Park to Hornchurch.
Julia Lopez, the MP for Hornchurch and Upminster, has now declared her support for the group’s campaign and asked people to express their opinions in a TfL consultation.
Rerouting the bus through Hornchurch, according to campaigners, would allow King George Hospital and Queen’s Hospital to be directly connected to St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub.
They contend that the current buses stop too far from the health center, which is a challenge for those who are elderly or have mobility impairments.
The 252 is the only bus that runs directly from Romford to St George’s, and it takes a long way. At the moment, there is no direct bus service from King George to St George’s.
Mr. Buckmaster went on to say that it would make more sense to send the SL12 to Hornchurch rather than Elm Park because the region is already “heavily congested.”
A Hornchurch line would serve more people than the proposed Elm Park route, according to Ms. Lopez.
Although TfL has been contacted for a response, it has previously refused to explicitly address Healthwatch Havering’s recommendation because its proposal is still undergoing consideration.
The suggested path is up for consultation until Friday, May 23.
What are potential benefits of superloop stopping in Havering?
By passing through Hornchurch Town Centre, the Superloop would improve daily convenience by giving locals quicker and easier access to important facilities like Hornchurch Country Park, Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre, and St George’s Health & Wellbeing Hub.
With better public transportation alternatives for patients, employees, and guests, the updated route would more efficiently connect important hospitals including King George Hospital and Queen’s Hospital.
Compared to the Elm Park route, a route through Hornchurch is thought to serve a larger population, meaning that more people will take advantage of the speedy bus service.
Passing through Hornchurch instead of clogged roadways may result in smoother service and more dependable travel times, increasing the appeal of public transportation.