Petition urges bus route extension to Queen's Hospital

Dagenham and Rainham MP Jon Cruddas met with Gloria Simmons and Keith Hutton, of Chadwell Heath Residents Association, to receive the petition.

Around 800 signatures were collected by residents who want the 86 bus route amended by the transport operator.

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The route currently runs between Stratford and Romford and goes through Manor Park, Ilford, Seven Kings, Goodmayes and Chadwell Heath.

Petitioners say Chadwell Heath residents need to use two buses at the moment to reach Queen's which they say can cause difficulties for older residents and those with small children or disabilities.

Mr Cruddas is supporting the campaign and said he will meet with Seb Dance, London's deputy mayor for transport, to raise the issue in the new year.

He said: “Eight-hundred is a significant number of signatures and shows the strength of feeling on this issue.

"Queen’s Hospital is the main point of contact for people attending appointments and seeking either emergency medical help or other health services, so it makes sense to extend the 86 bus route as TfL did with the number 5 bus some years ago.”

The 5 bus route was changed to include the hospital in 2017.

Chadwell Heath Residents Association has written to TfL, suggesting a new route for the 86 bus to carry on along South Street in Romford before going on to the hospital.

Geoff Hobbs, TfL’s director of public transport planning, said: “We continuously review the bus network to ensure we provide a frequent, reliable service for all.

"Several routes directly serve Queen’s Hospital and route 5 was also recently restructured to serve the hospital too.

"We welcome all feedback on our services and will continue to review how these changes are working.”

A spokesperson said bus travellers using the 86 to get to Queen's Hospital can change in Romford town centre to routes 5, 175, 365 and 498 in order to reach it.