|
Post by Eastlondoner62 on Jun 18, 2016 11:26:58 GMT
I think a decent link from Barking into the DLR at Beckton isn't a bad idea at all, especially for connections to Canary Wharf and South London - the 366 does perform the function (Gallions Reach being the best connection from Barking but it can be a painfully slow process. There is also the ASDA across the road which would serve as an alternative to the Dagenham store although there is a branch in Vicarage Fields right in Barking Town Centre, though it isn't one of their bigger stores and can be a ballache to use (see also: Morrisons in Wood Green. If you know..) The question to consider is how you could tweak the current routes to link it in. I'd be open to having a bus run fast from the Barking Roundabout down the 406 to the A13, then as route 173 into Beckton. Conversely, the areas which I think would benefit from it most - the Barking Riverside area and Thames View Estate (the Ilford Lane end of the EL1/2 routes do have the 366 already fairly close by), would still have a fairly slow slog in via Barking - changing at the A13 to a 173 would probably be faster. Perhaps once the density of housing development around Barking Riverside has grown sufficiently then an ELT service straight from D.Dock/Barking Riverside via Thames View and the A13, missing Barking altogether and running straight into Beckton ASDA could be justified. I'm not sure we're at that point yet though - perversely, the lack of a 'proper' built transport link is placing a stranglehold on the ability for the housing around there to expand any further. That would originally have been the DLR extension in any case! That's very true, although the Dagenham Dock extension to the DLR is still "in the background" although a good bus link straight down the A13, even diverting to serve Beckton Sainsburys and Gallons Reach Shopping Park on route would be an alternative. The 366 is a really useful link, especially for me as it stops right outside Beckton depot! The Asda has moved out of Vicarage Fields, now and is on the corner of London Road/North Street but isn't much bigger than the old store, and is now a bit of a walk from the ELs. Perhaps they could keep the EL3 going via North Street, then divert it to serve the new Sainsburys on Abbey Road when that's built. That's exactly what I suggested in my response about the EL3 serving North Street. I quite like the plan about being diverted via Abbey Road as with the Sainsbury's many new houses and flats are proposed to be built along that section. The whole ELT priority thing is something I don't understand sometimes, the roundabout at Barking Station for example is terrible. The lights are very badly phased, so when one light is green the light for another exit will be red causing a tailback to block the currently green light. The routes don't feel much like the bus rapid transit system they're meant to be. The huge amount of delays the EL1 faces in Ilford is disgusting, and the lack of connection into the town centre with the ELT is also laughable, it doesn't even serve Ilford Station properly, and the only routes it actually provides direct interchange with in Ilford are the 169 and 86. If the EL3 does end up being extended to Marks Gate, I wonder if route 62 will remain there. I'd find it much more useful if the 62 ran to Romford via the 86 as London Road can be a nightmare for the single route and some help is very well needed along that section.
|
|
|
Post by enviroPB on Jun 18, 2016 14:42:52 GMT
Ahhh it's time! At the start of May when I was searching for River Road's garage, had a lovely chat to a 387 driver on a whole manner of topics, bus related of course Anyways I've waited this long to not sound like a looney, but here goes: -the driver expressed concerns about the 387 being retained with BK. This is with its 11reg Enviro400s and spare deckers; not least new MMCs that were being delivered at the time of the conversation -sometime in the near future, the EL3 will be extended to Marks Gate; and routes 296 & 396 will be restructured to give a "more regular service" to Ilford Broadway.Now call me crazy all you want; but I knew about the consultation changes before it came to air. Ridicule my source if you want, but the bus driver was really friendly and though I prodded him initially, he was more than happy to give me insider info and then some! He figured he let too much slip though; so when I started to ask questions relating to Marks Gate changes with the EL3, he kicked me off the bus!! To be fair though I was meant to get off 3 stops prior but the gossip was too good haha I think the EL3 would be to long and need more bus priority along the way to keep it reliable. I'd think these would be proposed alongside Crossrail area changes, Because there is no way the 362 could still exist after that extension. Like I said, I know it sounds like I'm making it up but I deliberately waited till this consultation to share this info. The lovely chap, when I asked what routes he enjoys doing, he said the 387 but didn't know if "the company would keep it. I mean they can, but it will become EL3 with the new contract." He said something along the lines of the company, Stagecoach, not wanting to have "orange painted buses that can't be used for other routes in the garage. That's the sticking point with the Transits so you never know if we keep it [the contract]." In all honesty I thought he was a bit mad too. But he mentioned the direct routing via Ripple Road when I told him I get the 387 more than the Transits cause they serve the town centre better. He also mentioned the route not serving Thames Road (which I thought was bonkers but turns out only partially) and new roads will open up & both buses [EL1 & EL3]will be extended "closer to the river, for that new station in the future." Went a bit off topic with regards to your quote lool; but all I did was ask the man about the siting of the River Road garage & then started to chat to him like I would a normal bus driver and boom! It is also worth adding that bus cages have long since been marked on roads not yet open for the [years-in-the-making] pre-planned extension. And as for the Marks Gate bit; I genuinely wished he hadn't told me that cause it brought more questions than answers!! No doubt those changes are linked with Crossrail; but new routes are needed not just ELT routes. Yes the service has improved since the 369 days but that's because resources have been chucked at it, rather unfairly I might add in respects to other London routes. IMO Crossrail should take into account the fact that Seven Kings and Aldborough Road South doesn't have a bus route properly serving the road & area. The 364 doesn't cut it for me.
|
|