New routes to be introduced to improve connections to Acton Mainline

A series of changes to existing bus routes and the introduction of completely new services is planned as part of a package of changes designed to improve connections with Acton Mainline station.

It is anticipated that demand for routes serving the station will increase significantly with the introduction of the Elizabeth line service (Crossrail) and at the moment the number of routes serving the station is low.

There are two new routes proposed (the 218 and 306) and significant changes to the routes of the 266 and 440.

The consultation is open until Sunday 17 September 2017. You can fill in the online survey, email consultations@tfl.gov.uk or write to FREEPOST TFL CONSULTATIONS

The proposed route 218 would travel between North Acton and Hammersmith serving West Acton and Askew Road. It would run every 10 minutes during Monday to Saturday day time, and every 15 minutes during Sundays and all evenings using single-deck buses. It would follow the existing alignment of route 440 between North Acton, Gypsy Corner and Acton High Street via West Acton. It would then follow the existing alignment of route 266 between Acton High Street and Hammersmith via Askew Road.

The new 306 route would run between Acton Vale, Bromyard Avenue and Fulham, Sand’s End running every 12 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime and every 15 minutes during Sunday and all evenings using double-deck vehicles. It would follow the existing alignment of route 266 between Acton Vale and Hammersmith Bus Station via Askew Road. It would then follow the existing alignment of route 391 between Hammersmith town centre and Fulham, Sand’s End.

Route 440 currently runs between Stonebridge Park station and Gunnersbury, Power Road serving Chiswick High Road, Acton Green, South Acton, Acton High Street, West Acton, North Acton, Park Royal and Stonebridge Park station. TfL are proposing to restructure the route so that a more direct connection can be provided whilst also better serving new Elizabeth line stations.

Between Gypsy Corner and Acton High Street, it would no longer serve West Acton. Instead it would run directly via Horn Lane and Steyne Road to serve Acton Main Line station.

In Chiswick it would no longer serve Acton Green. Instead it would run directly between Chiswick Park station and Turnham Green Church running via the southern end of Acton Lane, Chiswick High Road (Sainsbury’s) and Heathfield Terrace.

Route 266 currently runs between Brent Cross and Hammersmith serving Cricklewood, Willesden, Harlesden, Old Oak Common, North Acton, Acton High Street, Askew Road and Hammersmith. This is a high frequency 24 hour orbital route that provides links not currently available by rail. TfL say it currently suffers from poor reliability due to the large number of congested areas it serves.

The route would be restructured to run between Brent Cross and Acton, Town Hall and would no longer connect to Hammersmith. Buses would continue to run every 8 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 12 minutes on Sundays and all evenings.

At night route 266 would be unchanged and continue to operate between Brent Cross Shopping Centre and Acton High Street. However it would be renumbered N266.

July 20, 2017