Forum Topic

E1 bus route extended to Osterley Tesco

Yesterday I wrote on Pitshanger Area Friends' Facebook Page that some bus routes which terminate outside Ealing Broadway Station were inevitably going to have to be shortened or lengthened, just to reduce the number of buses using the station as a terminus. Currently, buses that terminate outside the station are the 65, 112, 226, 297, E1, E7, E8, E9 and E10 (have I missed any?!). We surely all agree that there is nowhere near enough road space to handle this number.  It was pure coincidence, then, that two E1 drivers told me yesterday that TfL is currently running a risk assessment for the E1 to run from Greenford to Osterley via Ealing Broadway. From Greenford, it will follow its current route to Ealing Broadway Station. It will then turn right onto Uxbridge Road, left into St. Mary's Road and continue along South Ealing Road before turning right onto the Great West Road and terminating at Tesco Osterley. None of this has been publicised as yet; you heard it from me first!      The change is anticipated to take place "in a couple of months, maybe more." It is more than probable that the lengthening of the route, which will bring with it more traffic and the likelihood of more roadworks, will mean that the E1's high frequency will be considerably reduced and therefore become less reliable. On the positive side, it will alleviate the overcrowding outside the station. My guess is that the E9 will be the next route to be amended; if it does it will probably terminate at Greenford Broadway. We shall see. Why do I think this? First, the E9 frequently runs late and often gets turned round at Scotch Common; second, because not only are Pitshanger Lane and Woodfield Road bottlenecks when two buses try to pass each other, but also because I don't think that Eaton Rise, Woodfield Road and Pitshanger Lane require two routes - I base this observation on traffic hold-ups and the small boarding numbers at the 10 or so intermittent stops from Scotch Common to Castlebar Road (I hope that is not a controversial opinion because I do not want to have a debate about it!).

Ben Owen ● 261d17 Comments

TfL are claiming that the A4 roundabout there does not meet current standard. Four notifiable accidents in the last ten years with two resulting in minor injuries.The chaos in the ares is not helped by Hounslow's total intransigence to temporarily lifting road restrictions to allow traffic to bypass the endless roadworks on Windmill Road which would ease South Ealing Road to a degree.

N V Brooks ● 238d

Just who was invited to participate in a consultation. Certainly not people living along the 65 between Ealing and Brentford. In fact no-one in Brentford even knows of this ( allegedly )

Raymond Havelock ● 238d

Nigel, that was exactly my comment in TfL's consultation survey.

Ben Owen ● 239d

I am sorry but if the E1 is going to use South Ealing Road with the  debacle that is TfL's rephasing of the traffic lights then the E1 service is going to become incredibly unreliable.

N V Brooks ● 239d

A bus link is part of the proposal and the Mayor of London wants it approved. TfL were ordered to put this through asap. No consultation and if there is one it will be the usual sham.Would be better to sort out the debacle of the road delays on the A4 at Sth Ealing road in all directions and return the 65 route to something near useful.

Raymond Havelock ● 239d

This is now confirmed with the announcement of the consultation. Top sleuthing by Ben Owen. Can't say I have many reasons to go to Osterley but there is massive development planned for the area so the route extension ultimately will be well used giving access to both South Ealing and Ealing Broadway stations. If you want to be a conspiracy theorist, you might say that TfL has had the heads up that Michael Gove is going to approve the new flats at Tesco Osterley and at the Homebase site on Syon Lane.

Gordon Southwell ● 241d

Good point Raymond.Not only was there the Green trailer at Cleveland Road for the crews but also locally there was good facilities at two local bus garages: Hanwell (where Lidl is now) and Southall (where Himalayan Carpets is now).That's what you get with privatisation: worse terms and conditions for the workers.

Brian Rose ● 247d

Good point Raymond.Not only was there the Green trailer at Cleveland Road for the crews but also locally there was good facilities at two local bus garages: Hanwell (where Lidl is now) and Southall (where Himalayan Carpets is now).That's what you get with privatisation: worse terms and conditions for the workers.

Brian Rose ● 247d

You have the option, via the ballot box, as you always do. Not much of a democrat are you?

Kevin Wilson ● 247d

TfL not mentioned until I enquired that the E1 extension may result in a frequency and capacity reduction on the 65. In part because the constant severe delays on the route are impeding the performance of electric buses and drivers hours.  More buses will terminate at either Brentford Ealing Road or Watermans / Half Acre stands.It's taken 4 weeks to get this out of TfL.  However I understand they have been in agreed discussions with LBH and LBE for some time although no-one will respond to enquiries at either.  If anyone has actual names to whom at either ealing or Hounslow who actually deals with this it would be most helpful.I cannot understand why our local government have to be so secretive and contemptuous towards the people who ultimately pay their salaries. TfL are just as bad if not worse.

Raymond Havelock ● 249d

London Transport provided refreshment and toilet facilities for crews at Cleveland road.  I can just about remember seeing this two tone Green trailer.  I've since seen photographs.They took a lot more care of staff then. The humiliation of Drivers male and female having to take a pee on their bus whilst passengers wait to board is quite frankly, disgraceful lack of responsibility for an organisation that spouts so much about rights.

Raymond Havelock ● 250d

With regard to route 65 that did (back in the days of London Transport) extend beyond Ealing Broadway and go via Eaton Rise, Montpelier Avenue Castlebar Hill and Cleveland Road and terminate at the junction with Argyle Road (turning around at the roundabout there) so perhaps that could be reintroduced.And yes, I agree that it's not sensible to have the E9 following the E2 route from Greenford to Ealing Broadway.  To make the E9 a quicker and therefore a more convenient service for people north of Greenford I have suggested to TfL that it runs non-stop Greenford to Ealing Broadway (only stopping at the most used bus stop which is Gurnell).  Perhaps renumber it X9. And then perhaps the E10 (which is only a small single decker) just run between Northolt and Greenford (but that would perhaps create congestion at the bus stand in Greenford so maybe have the E10 extended from Greenford to Ealing Hospital via Ruislip Road and Greenford Avenue.

Brian Rose ● 253d

It's Chaos at Brentford with TfL failing entirely on their part of the development to prepare Gunnersbury and other stations and the main roads for the new stadium.Fans miss entire games gridlocked in West London, minimal parking and trains have been chaotic with absurd station closures meaning getting home is a nightmare.  And Brentford only has a capacity of 17,500.Unlit routes away from the stadium. Barely visible bollards in footways, Detrius all over the place . It's shambolic.They have not even amended bus services for fixture dates to have extras and short intensive links to stations. TfL = Total Failing Losers

Raymond Havelock ● 257d

Get rid of khan & disband tfl.I read of an event at Wembley & they shut stations!!!I am in Germany & they have transport waiting to get people away & home from events

Peter Yale ● 258d

Would be far better to return the 65 to terminating at Argyle Road/ Scotch Common.  Now they are all electric there's not noise or fumes for residents.Reinstate a toilet facility and use a designated space and provide a link.The servicealso wholly useless in it's current location. A filthy vomit stained area and not a nice place to wait at almost anytime of the day. Was never like that when Bus Inspectors were permanently based there.When 65 bus drivers, male and female have hide up bus stairs to urinate into cups at Bus stop 'L' in the High St with so many now terminating there, all caused by the idiotic lengthy delays to the entire route Ealing to Ham that's what TfL really ought to be sorting. The health and well being their ineptitude that they have inflicted on the people who are most important. Those on the front line.Instead of confusing people and wasting ££££££s with Postcode route numbers and childish and misleading marketing.

Raymond Havelock ● 259d

Shame that tfl don't know their backsides from their elbows! Currently the route from Greenford to Ealing Broadway commonly sees the E2 & E9 ''piggy backing'' along with no attempt to space them out. I know that two separate bus companies are involved here but tfl are supposed to be in overall charge. Also, in regard to Ealing Broadway, what bright spark decided that the old bus stop opposite Hart the estate agent should be turned into a parking spot and the buses displaced forced to stop at temporary stop right outside the station entrance, You almost couldn't make it up.

Peter King ● 260d

Unless TfL sort out the debacle that is the roundabout on the A4 at the bottom of South Ealing Road (where they have changed timings citing safety issues) then this will be a disaster for the E1 route. Tfl are currently ignoring both Hounslow council and Ruth Cadbury MP who point oit that there is no record of safety issues at that juction.Equally with Tesco Osterley due to close and relocate to the Homebase site within three years (with no bus stops or stands on the outline plans) gthen this  is, with no sense of irony, a non-runner.

N V Brooks ● 261d