As locals will know, bus route 202 is the Crystal Palace - Blackheath Royal Standard service that passes through Lee Green along St Mildreds Road and Burnt Ash Hill/Road.
The contract to operate the route has recently come up for tender, and TFL have awarded it to Metrobus - it’s currently operated by Selkent. New single deck buses have been ordered, but as they mightn’t be available for the start of the contract in November, Metrobus propose using some double-decker buses at first.
So far, so good. But TFL haven’t made the changes we were after. They’ve considered raising the frequency, but decided it “can’t be justified at the present time”. And really disappointing is their comment that they’ve “considered requests for this service to be extended from Blackheath Royal Standard to either the Queen Elizabeth Hospital or North Greenwich. No changes are proposed at this stage.”
This is really disappointing - one of the most frequent requests we get from residents is for a bus direct from Lee Green to Greenwich (or even better, to North Greenwich tube station via Greenwich itself). I’ve taken this up in the past with TFL and have been told that they take my point, but don’t have any plans at present. It’s disappointing that at tender stage, when they’ve had a great chance to make changes, they’ve chosen not to.
I’m going to speak to my Lib Dem colleagues at the London Assembly and see what they advise.
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Dear Brian
I agree with you that route 202 should be extended to either North Greenwich Station (02 Arena) via Greenwich Peninusla (Sainsburys and Cinema) or extended to Queen Elizabeth Hospital via Charlton Road, Charlton Village, Cemetery Lane and Stadium Road.
The Lee Green and Blackheath Station area needs a direct bus service to Greenwich Town Centre and North Greenwich Station (02 Arena). I did once suggest to TFL London Buses a new bus route suggestion to serve Blackheath Village, Greenwich Town Centre and North Greenwich Station (02 Arena).Which was New Eltham Station, Footscray Road, Eltham High Street, (or Eltham Station, Eltham Church), Eltham Hill, Eltham Road, Lee Green (Tigers Head), Lee Road, Blackheath Station, Blackheath Village (Royal Parade), Princes Charles Road, Blackheath Hill, Greenwich South Street, Greenwich Station (DLR), Greenwich Cutty Sark (DLR), Trafalgar Road, Blackwall Lane, North Greenwich Station (02 Arena).
Again TFL just don’t seem interested in introducing this route. I have also suggested that route 386 be extended from Blackheath Village (Royal Parade) to Blackheath Station, Lee Road, Lee Green (Tigers Head), Eltham Road, Eltham Hill, Eltham Church, Eltham Station (Bus Station). But again so far TFL have not extended route 386. As route 386 will serves Queen Elizabeth Hospital the new Woolwich Arsenal DLR Station when it opens in early 2009 now would be a good time to extend route 386 and increase the frequency at the same time.
September 24th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Dear Brian
It has also been suggested to TFL and East Thames Buses who operate route 108. That route 108 & N108 Lewisham Station to Stratford Station via North Greenwich Station (02 Arena)and Blackwall Tunnel be re-routed between Blackheath Station and Lewisham Station via Lee Road, Lee Green (Tigers Head) and Lee High Road continuing to Lewisham Station (DLR). With an increased frequency at all times of the day/evening and night service to every 6-8 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes, every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday evenings and Sundays. Night service increased to every 20 minutes. Lee Terrace and Belmont Hill would still be covered by routes 54, 89 and N89 with increased frequencies. Route 54 will serve the new Woolwich Arsenal DLR Station in Woolwich. TFL have so far declined to repsond to these suggestions.
October 24th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Im glad that the 202 has been converted to a double decker bus, but not only do I think that the 202 should be extended to Greenwich via North Greenwich tube station
but the 202 should also be extended to Croydon.
Therefore creating a major south london trunk bus route
from Croydon-Selhurst-Norwood-Crystal Palace-Sydenham-Catford-Lee-Blackheath-North Greenwich-Greenwich or even Deptford at some point
Also ther should be a new bus route from Bexleyheath or Thamesmead to Camberwell, Boris Johnson did promise new routes in south london
December 6th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Yes I would like to see route 202 extended to Croydon or North Greenwich Station (02 Arena)or at least to Woolwich Common Queen Elizabeth Hospital with an increased frequency and a possible 24 hour service.
Your right Nathan Boris Johson did promise new bus routes for London and South East do need them to provide new bus links across South East London.
Route 177 Thamesmead Town Centre to Peckham could easily be extended to Camberwell Green from Peckham. With an increased frequency.
A new route could be Bexleyheath, Welling, Shooters Hill, Blackheath, Blackheath Hill, Deptford, New Cross, Old Kent Road, Elephant & Castle. or London Bridge Station.
January 14th, 2009 at 10:16 am
I agree with Cliff’s comment of a new route from Bexleyheath to Elephant & Castle but thanks to route 53, that will never happen. However, i did put a request to introduce route N136 to start from Marble Arch and cut N36’s current route at Lewisham and extend the N136 to Chislehurst which was declined although i’d later realised my idea for N136 was actually accepted but was put to start at Oxford Circus-Chislehurst and N36 was just made a 24 hour service which i thought was a loss as I think that it would mean a better choice of buses during the night into London from Lewisham and people wanting to get buses such as N21,N47,N89,108 and N136 that serve Eltham,Bromley,Bexleyheath,Blackheath and Grove Park.
I also think that 177 could easily be extended to Camberwell Green and if it helps, there are a list of bus changes that are put up on the london buses website. Just google london bus route changes and it’s there. It’s even proposed for them to do something with the short working of route 129, and i was thinking maybe they could run the route to Greenwich Library and then run via route 422,286 and 108 to Blackheath and run via 202 to Crystal Palace, that way providing a link to all bus routes in the areas it serves:
North Greenwich Bus Station (for 02 Centre) - Millennium Village - Greenwich Peninsular - Greenwich Library - Westcombe Park Station- Blackheath Royal Standard - Blackheath Station - Lee Green - Lee Station - Lewisham Town Hall (for Catford and Catford Bridge Stations) - Lower Sydenham (Bell Green) - Sydenham - Sydenham Hill and Crystal Palace Parade.
January 20th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
If any route could be extended to London bridge it’s the 89 as it already runs to Lewisham so all they would have to do is run the route via Deptford, New X, Peckham, Camberwell then on to London Bridge,
February 14th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
I agree with Alex’s comment I think route 177 could easily be extended to Camberwell Green from Peckham to interchange with many other main bus routes serving Central London and to several other areas of London as well.
March 4th, 2009 at 5:46 am
Another new route could be North Greenwich Station (02 Arena) to Beckenham Junction Station (Croydon Tramlink) via Bellingham (Catford Bus Garage),Catford, Lee Green, Blackheath Village, Greenwich Town Centre and North Greenwich Station (02 Arena). Route could be numbered route 408 for exmample as would served North Greenwich Station and Blackheath Village the same as busy single deck route 108 Lewisham Staion to Stratford Station via Blackwall Tunnel. The reason why I suggested Beckenham Junction Station for a terminus is because you can interchange on to the trams for Croydon. To improve intergrated transport in the area.
March 21st, 2009 at 4:19 pm
With regard to a bus service to serve Lee and Lee Green with North Greenwich Station (02 Arena. I have suggested to TFL a new bus route with a suggested routing of North Greenwich Station (02 Arena), Millennuim Village, Greenwich Penisula (Sainsburys & Cinema), Blackheath Royal Standard, Blackheath Village (Blackheath Station), Lee Road, Lee Green (Tigers Head), Baring Road, Burnt Ash Hill, Browhill Road, Catford (One Way System), Catford Garage, Beckenham Hill Road, Beckenham Junction Station (Croydon Tramlink) for trams to Croydon. Following parts of routes 108, 202 and 54. The new bus route would serve existing bus stops along the route and would run daily with a frequent timetable. Providing many new direct bus links to South East London and Lee Green and Lee areas.
March 21st, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Route B15 Bexleyheath to Horn Park Estate via Welling and Eltham Hill Street could be extended from Horn Park Estate to Catford (St Dunstans) to link the Horn Park Estate with Catford Town Centre.
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I think that the 108 bus has th potential to be extended north and southwards
For instance the nothern extension would still serve
Stratford but from there it could continue
On to Stoke Newington, Islington and either would continue
To Camden or the City from there
And from Lewisham the route would continue
To Catford and would either go on Bromley
Beckenham via Bellingham or
Norwood via Sydenham and Penge
As for the 472 which at times can get very overcrowded
Why cant they reintroduce the X72 where from Woolwich
It would run nonstop to North Greenwich tube/ o2 arena
April 4th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Lee Green & Lee Bus Services.
Route 273 Lewisham (Tesco) to Petts Wood Station. Needs a frequency increase to at least every 12 to 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes and to at least every 20 minutes (3 buses every hour) Monday to Saturday evenings and Sundays.
Route 178 Lewisham Station (DLR) to Woolwich via Kidbrooke and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Also needs a frequency increase to at least every 10 to 12 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes and to every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday evenings and Sundays.
Route B15 Bexleyheath to Horn Park Estate via Eltham and Welling. Could be extended to Catford to provide Horn Park Estate with a direct bus service to Catford Town Centre.
We Hope these suggestions will be taken up with Transport For London to improve local bus services in the area.
April 5th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
The 129 bus could be extended to
Camberwell
Also im suprised tfl haven’t extended
The 96 bus from Woolwich to The o2 arena/
North Greenwich with
QE Hosiptal and Blackheath Sun-in-the-Sands
Before a nonstop service to NG Tube Station/o2 arena
Being the only stops similer to the eastern end
Of the 96 running nonstop from
Dartford to Bluwater
Therfore linking
Bluewater shopping centre with
QE Hospital and the o2 arena
April 13th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Will there be a petition to TFL arranged by the Liberal Democrats in the Lee Green area. So we can petition TFL on the extension of route 202 to North Greenwich Station (Jubilee Line) and the 02 Arena? The petition could be done on line or a questionaire to local households served by route 202. Do people think that route 202 Crystal Palace to Blackheath Royal Standard should be a 24 hour service? even
I do feel the extension of route 202 to North Greenwich Station (02 Arena) would be well used by passengers in the Lee, Lee Green and Blackheath Village areas on a daily basis if route 202 is extended there.
May 5th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
New Bus Route Suggestion Route 408? North Greenwich Station (02 Arena) to Lewisham Station (DLR) via Lewisham Hospital, Catford One Way System, Brownhill Road, Burnt Ash Hill, Lee Green, Blackheath Village, Blackheath Royal Standard, Greenwich Peninsula, North Greenwich Station (02 Arena).
So in effect the new bus route would follow route 108 between North Greenwich Station (02 Arena) and Blackheath Royal Standard, then follow route 202 between Blackheath Royal Standard and the Catford One Way System the follow route 208 between Catford and Lewisham Station (DLR). Providing new direct bus links to Lewisham Town Centre, Lewisham Station (DLR), Lewisham Hospital, Catford, Lee Green, Greenwich Peninsula and North Greenwich Station and the 02 Arena.
If local people agree with the need of a new bus route to North Greenwich Station (02 Arena) from the Catford and Lee Green areas they can contact Transport For London Buses to support this suggestion and asking TFL to consider introducing a new bus route as suggested. We all need to contact Transport For London Buses ourselves if we need to a get a bus service to the North Greenwich Station (02 Arena). One or two people fighting to get a bus service to North Greenwich will not be enough. We need people power if this is ever going to happen. So please support us now. Thank you.