Our Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Infrastructure, Cllr Cameron Smith, has written to the Deputy Mayor of London for Transport and the Leader of Kent County Council to voice his concerns about the status of bus services connecting Bexley residents with Darent Valley Hospital and Bluewater Shopping Centre.
Cllr Smith has set out the impact any potential cuts could have on our Borough’s residents, including those who receive treatment at the hospital or visit sick family or friends there, as well as the potential knock-on effect this could have on the local economy.
He has urged Kent County Council to consider this and wishes to work with the Council and Transport for London to protect these routes.
Watch Cllr Smith's response on YouTube
Letter from Cllr Smith to the Deputy Mayor of London for Transport (PDF)
Accessible version of Cllr Smith's letter to London for Transport
Seb Dance
Deputy Mayor of London for Transport
City Hall
Kamal Chunchie Way
London
E16 IZE
Dear Seb Dance,
I am writing to you regarding reports that Transport for London (TfL) is considering changes to bus services connecting the London Borough of Bexley to Darent Valley Hospital and the Bluewater Shopping Centre.
It is deeply disappointing that Bexley Council was not informed that the 96, 428, and 492 routes were under review, and that this was only communicated to us following media reports and public discussions at Dartford Borough Council. This is particularly concerning given how hard Bexley Council fought to ensure the 96 bus route stopped at the hospital.
I understand that services are at risk because KCC has requested a "significant" increase in the contribution that TfL pays to use the Fastrack busway between Darent Valley Hospital and Bluewater.
This situation is alarming. Thousands of Bexley residents receive treatment at Darent Valley Hospital and rely on TfL bus routes to travel to appointments or to visit sick family and friends.
Given the car parking pressures at the hospital, regular direct bus routes from Bexley are essential. If TfL were to terminate these routes at Dartford town centre or reduce these services, it would increase patients' and staff's journey times and could result in passengers paying two fares to complete their journeys. No one wants to see sick and elderly residents stuck waiting on a bus or paying more to travel for medical treatment.
Bexley residents also rely heavily on these services to travel to the Bluewater Shopping Centre for shopping or work. Without these direct bus connections, the journey will take longer and cost more. It will also add to the congestion caused by the shopping centre.
When the Ultra Low Emission Zone was expanded without Bexley residents' support, we were promised improved bus connections. While the Superloop SL3 route is welcome - albeit the route excludes Bexley Village - we have not seen the scale of improvements required, including a very disappointing funding allocation for our bus priority schemes. If these services were cut, it would be a significant blow.
I urge you to work constructively with KCC to secure the future of these bus routes, communicate with Bexley Council, and invest in local bus services rather than cut them. I have written separately to Kent County Council to ask the same.
I look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely
Cameron Smith
Deputy Leader of Bexley Council
Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Infrastructure
Accessible version of Cllr Smith's letter to Kent County Council
Councillor Linden Kemkaran
Leader of Kent County Council
County Hall
Maidstone
Kent
ME141XQ
Dear Cllr Linden Kemkaran,
I am writing to you regarding reports that Kent County Council (KCC) decisions may affect Transport for London (TfL) services connecting the London Borough of Bexley to Darent Valley Hospital and the Bluewater Shopping Centre.
Following media reports and public discussions at Dartford Borough Council suggesting that the 96, 428 and 492 routes are under review, TfL has confirmed this is the case.
These services are at risk because KCC has requested a "significant" increase in the contribution that TfL pays to use the Fastrack busway between Darent Valley Hospital and Bluewater.
This situation is alarming. Thousands of Bexley residents receive treatment at Darent Valley Hospital and rely on TfL bus routes to travel to appointments or to visit sick family and friends.
Given the car parking pressures at the hospital, regular direct bus routes from Bexley are essential. Changing bus service in Daitford or elsewhere would add to patients' and staff's journey times. It would also mean paying two fares to complete the journey using bus services in Kent. No one wants to see sick and elderly residents stuck waiting on a bus or paying more to travel for medical treatment.
Safeguarding bus routes from Bexley to Kent supports the county's economy. I do not need to remind you that many of the Bluewater Shopping Centre's customers are Bexley residents, supporting jobs and businesses in Kent. These bus routes also help reduce the congestion caused by the shopping centre, which impacts Kent residents.
Bus services in London are heavily subsidised by the capital's taxpayers. Kent makes no contribution to these services but benefits from them. I appreciate that Kent's council taxpayers pay for the upkeep of the Fastrack busway, and it is right that TfL contributes towards it. But it mustn't be so high as to make services unviable.
I urge you to consider these wider benefits and work constructively to secure the future of these bus routes, keeping Bexley and Dartford connected.
I have written separately to TfL to work with you on this matter to protect these routes.
I look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely
Cameron Smith
Deputy Leader of Bexley Council
Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Infrastructure