The changes made following TfL’s Barnes Bus Consultation were implemented on 15 August. During the consultation period, I met with TfL to make objections to their plans to reduce the number of buses servicing Barnes, with a direct route from Castelnau to Putney being cut, as well as to voice my concerns about the turning point for the 209 being set at Barnes Pond.

Despite significant feedback from residents, Councillors and other stakeholders, TfL moved ahead with their proposals. I therefore contacted the Deputy Mayor of London for Transport, Seb Dance, to organise an on-site visit to Barnes Pond to discuss the transport related challenges and cut-backs that Barnes residents experience.

Myself, Councillor Fiona Sacks and Councillor Alex Ehmann began the meeting by expressing our concern about the suitability of the 209 turning around at Barnes Pond. The 209 now sits on Church Road, blocking traffic during busy periods, before using the narrow turning point on Station Road to turn around. The turning point is located right outside of a GP surgery, while the area experiences a high level of footfall on weekends. Due to these safety concerns, it is clear that the turning point is at a far from ideal position.

Discussions then turned to ensuring that the 33 does not ‘dead run’ down Kilmington Road, Howsman Road and Verdun Road to turn around when turning around to travel towards Fulwell. Councillors Sacks and Ehmann both encouraged Seb Dance to work with the Council to examine the viability of turning around the 33 at the intersection of Castelnau and Lonsdale Road.

It would not be a meeting about transport in Barnes without discussing Hammersmith Bridge. TfL’s new regulations for pedicabs are set to come into effect at the end of October, and I remarked to Seb Dance that there is not a single better place for a pedicabs service than in Barnes. I encouraged Seb to incentivise the use of pedicabs in the area to provide a service which could stretch between Barnes Pond and Hammersmith Station, and I will be continuing these discussions with TfL.