On Wednesday 7^th November Islington Labour councillors presented a petition with almost 500 signatures to Assembly Member and Labour spokesperson for Transport Florence Eshalomi and Assembly Member for North East London Jennette Arnold at City Hall. The petition calls on Transport for London (TfL) to rethink its proposed changes to bus routes that affect Islington and to keep transport accessible for all.

For many people in Islington, buses are a vital way for people to get to work, health appointments, local shops, to meet friends and family, and much more. With a lack of accessible public transport options in the borough, buses are a lifeline for many local people.

In addition to the petition, Cllr Claudia Webbe, Executive Member for Environment and Transport, has submitted a formal response to the consultation on behalf of Islington Council, which is available below with appendices.

Cllr Claudia Webbe, Executive Member for Environment and Transport, said:

 “We are concerned that the changes to bus routes proposed by TfL will have a serious negative impact on local people and our communities. In Islington we have only one fully accessible train station – Caledonian road – and this makes it even more important to retain our accessible bus services. Many of residents have also come to rely on our buses because of their affordability compared to other forms of public transport.

 

I have particular concerns about the proposed plan to cut the N271, which would mean there was no longer a direct night bus service to Whittington Hospital; that it would be harder for shift workers to get to work and that there would be fewer night buses linking the North and South of Islington.

 

“Almost 500 local people have signed our petition, and it is clear from the response to our petition that local people don’t want to see vital bus routes cut or shortened.

 

“I am pleased that Florence Eshalomi AM and Jennette Arnold AM have received our petition today and will continue to make the case to the Mayor of London and TfL for maintaining important local bus services.”