TfL stop running buses in Plumstead due to a “poor road surface”
This is one I’ve not seen before.
TfL have stopped running the 291 bus beyond Plumstead Common due to an issue with “poor road surface”.
As a result “buses will not serve stops between Plumstead Common and Woodlands Estate in both direction”. Flaxton Road appears to be the issue.
https://twitter.com/TfLBusAlerts/status/1169928997658091522
The 291 became a double-decker route earlier this year with some wondering if it could cope with poor parking along the route.
Since then I’ve seen a number of complaints that the route is frequently curtailed due to poor parking. Despite Greenwich Council hiring more parking staff some spots still seem to have continual issues.
As an example, this morning I spotted two new wooden bollards they love to stick up – and yet within a 100 metres stretch in the very same area five cars were parked on paving and grass. Street furniture costs £££ to install and yet without enforcement achieves little – and is often an obstacle to pedestrians.
Parking income can be used to improve road surfaces – yet as the authority have seen so little income from parking (now more than £12 million below expectations since 2011/12) less money is going to improve streets.
IT would be interesting to hear the views from residents who live on the section of route 291 between Plumstead Common and Woodlands Estate which has temporarily been withdrawn.
To see if the residents think it is the road surface or the poor parking of cars and the double decker buses used on route 291 that are the real reason for the route currently being curtailed at Plumstead Common by TFL.
I live on this section and get the bus every morning from the Flaxton rd / Bardon st stop…The bus is always on time and has no issues with poorly parked cars. I know nothing of any road surface issues.
The excuse given by TFL is not tenable. Since they introduce the double decker bus 291, I have never experience any issue that disturb the free flow of the bus 291 operations. The residents are cautious of the big bus and they don’t pack on its way to block it’s movement. TFL should reconsider their stand on this matter to put the bus back into operation, otherwise a lot of people will suffer, especially, the old people that have hospital appointment and having problem with their mobility and school children.
Thanks Local Resident for the update. Just sounds like another excuse by TFL to curtail the route.
It definitely is affected by poor parking. For me last example was a week ago.
The road is poor too. It’s sinking in parts.
IBeth, f the road is sinking in parts then that would be the reason for route 291 being curtailed at plumstead Common. Thank you for confirming this. Sadly route 291 may be curtailed at Plumstead Common for some time. until the road is repaired and made safe again.
I do appreciate the other readers comments and can understand why people would think TFL are cutting the bus route back to Plumstead Common. After the recent round of bus service cuts.
Unfortunately, TFL are still making cuts to bus services and reducing frequencies on many bus routes. Many of the changes were made permanent after reducing frequencies and introducing temporaary timetables due to on going road works. I hope this will not be the case with the 291.
Been getting this bus for an age.
The condition of roads in and around plumstead have been poor for a very long time, much longer then the introduction of the double decker service. Greenwich Council take note!!!
I’ve never been on a 291 where the driver has had to abandon service, BUT due to very silly and selfish parking habits of certain individuals, service has been delayed while buses try to navigate around poorly parked vehicles. Drivers sort out!!!!
For me, the introduction of the double decker service has been a god send. It was extremely miserable waiting for a bus in the rain, only for it to drive straight past :0( I for one do not miss the single decker days.
For the 291 to be singled out is rather odd, as the 51 and 53 use small back streets in the locality too. These two services have been double deckers since I can remember…….so again, very odd that the 291 and its poor passengers have been picked on :0(
It’s a valid service, an important service and extremely valuable to all the residents in and around Plumstead. One should also certainly spare a thought for those elderly, disabled and ill residents that need to travel to Queen Elizabeth Hospital…..
All, I share your frustration, and clearly TFL & Greenwich are shying away from their responsibilities towards fare/tax payers.
I’ve reported the issue to Greenwich council via their online form, please do the same, it takes less than 3 minutes
https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/forms/form/237/en/report_a_street_fault
The more lobbying we do, the more pressure they’ll have to stop sitting on theirs hands.
Greenwich Maritime radio also mentioned this issue yesterday on air, let’s be heard!
The 291 has been using these roads for years now and the only problem they had was the route from Plumstead to Woolwich in Waverley Crescent where the up and down bus’ had their bus stops opposite each other. They have now rectified that? The problem now is parked vehicles in Waverley Crescent. Most residents have had to make their front gardens into driveways to stop their cars being hit. There is still a lot of parked cars with some houses turned into flats, a Doctors surgery and a house selling body enhancement foods. also some famolies have 4 cars or more making the stretch from the Common to the top of Griffin Road a bottleneck!
I like to make complaint the 291 terminate at the Plumstead Common everyday, what is the excuse sure there is no road work going on d also how come some buses can go all the way through and some not?? We all have busy life style and needed to complete our journey without any problems, so please can this be sorted out ASAP would like you to take this matter as urgent and important.