Request ID: FOI-4667-2324 Date published: 11 April 2024
You asked
I would like to see the report that justifies making this bus lane a 24/7 one.
I would also like to know how many bus journeys are made along this road in both directions.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-4667-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 17th March 2024 asking for information about the bus lane on Woodford Avenue. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“I would like to see the report that justifies making this bus lane a 24/7 one.
I would also like to know how many bus journeys are made along this road in both directions.”
I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require.
There is no specific “report” regarding this 24/7 bus lane. Since 2020, all Transport for London road network bus lanes have been operating as 24/7. The decision for the Woodford Avenue bus lane to be 24/7 was taken because demand on public transport is rising and we want to make sure that people choosing to travel on the bus network have the safest, quickest and most reliable journey at all times of the day. Additionally, 24/7 bus lanes provide safety benefits to vulnerable road users, who are permitted to use the bus lane, therefore helping to contribute to the Mayor’s Vision Zero ambition. We also want to maintain consistency across the network, ensuring customers get the best experience, however they wish to travel across London. The wider evidence to support 24/7 bus lanes can be seen on the scheme’s consultation page here: https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/all-day-bus-lanes-trial
The Mayor of London is committed to tackling Air Pollution, promoting public transport, and making our streets safer. The Mayor’s Transport Strategy sets a target for 80% of trips to be made via walking, cycling or public transport by 2041. Investment in buses helps to improve bus journey times and provide a reliable service for our customers, encouraging people to travel by sustainable public transport. By investing in our bus network, we can make it even more attractive option to those living and working in London. The Woodford Avenue bus lanes are part of a target to introduce 25km of new bus lanes on London’s roads by March 2025, and will benefit bus routes 123, 179 and 679 as well as the new limited stop, express Superloop route SL2, which launched on the 2nd March. Bus lanes are one of the most effective methods of prioritising bus services over general traffic. Buses can bypass slower moving traffic, so they can reach and pick up passengers at the next stop quicker. Bus journey times are improved, and bus passengers can get to their destinations quicker. The new implemented Bus Lanes are not only open to buses but to other modes of transport such as pedal cyclists, motorbikes, taxis, and patient transport vehicles. These create benefits for Londoner’s using these modes of transport as they will also see an improvement in journey times. It also creates safety benefits for vulnerable road users such as pedal cyclists and motorcyclists, as they can be separated from the busiest traffic lanes.
In regard to your request for how many bus journeys are made along the road, this can be found in our published bus timetables. The following map can be used to see which buses operate along Woodford Avenue: https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/bus (you can use the search function to find Woodford Avenue). The relevant bus timetables can then be found here: https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/timetables/ - scroll down to Buses. In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply you with a copy of this requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
