Routes and service changes that weren't to be

[TB123]

Don't think we have a thread of this nature so I thought I would start one, about proposed routes and service revisions that were proposed but never went ahead.

Just been looking through an old LOTS copy from January 2004, where two proposed routes were put out to tender - route D5 in tranche 160 and route 228 in tranche 278. I'd heard about the 228 previously, it was a Eltham Green to North Greenwich link, via Blackheath, similar to what the 335 now does 15 years later. Interestingly I remember hearing the stumbling block to the 228 going ahead was no suitable bids due to a lack of bus garages in the area, ironic that despite a garage opening along the route in that time, it eventually came to fruition running from far-away Dartford! Surprised ETB didn't run the 228 as they did in the same situation with the 393 a couple of years before.

I'd not heard anything about the D5 though - obviously a Docklands area route with the 'D' prefix but I'd be interested to hear if anyone knew any more about this.

There's also plenty of other examples that have occurred over the years so get posting!

[TB123]

web.archive.org/web/20040219234606/http://www.londonbusroutes.net/changes.htm

Just found an archived copy of LBR from that time - seems the D5 was a proposed new route from Liverpool Street to Crossharbour - this looks awfully like the present-day 135, which came to fruition 4/5 years later under a different number!

[cc2005]

Somewhat more current, but the Richmond area changes to routes 110, H22, 419, 493, etc which were meant to happen but got postponed due to Hammersmith Bridge closure, and I assume are postponed again due to current circimstances…. are these ever going to happen?

[ThinLizzy]

Many years ago, during the Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge and Havering route changes (circa 1993/94), the 362 was going to be extended from Barkingside to Ilford via Gants Hill and Beehive Lane. The extension appeared in all the publicity sent out by London Transport advertising the changes.

About a year later, the 462 arrived running between Ilford and Barkingside via the proposed 362 extension using tiny D-reg Mercedes minibuses with manual gearboxes.

The other change proposed, and appeared in all the publicity, was the 145 being extended from Redbridge Station to Falmouth Gardens, the buses were even blinded for Falmouth Gardens. The 366 was later extended to Falmouth Gardens when the 145 and 366 swapped western terminals, with the 145 running through to Leytonstone Green Man.

[TB123]

Apr 22, 2020 13:53:06 GMT cc2005 said:

Somewhat more current, but the Richmond area changes to routes 110, H22, 419, 493, etc which were meant to happen but got postponed due to Hammersmith Bridge closure, and I assume are postponed again due to current circimstances…. are these ever going to happen?

I would think so but who knows. TfL do seem more flexible around proposed changes nowadays, hence the backtracking in parts of Croydon, Harrow and central London consultations in recent times.

[TB123]

Apr 22, 2020 13:54:44 GMT ThinLizzy said:

Many years ago, during the Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge and Havering route changes (circa 1993/94), the 362 was going to be extended from Barkingside to Ilford via Gants Hill and Beehive Lane. The extension appeared in all the publicity sent out by London Transport advertising the changes.

About a year later, the 462 arrived running between Ilford and Barkingside via the proposed 362 extension using tiny D-reg Mercedes minibuses with manual gearboxes.

The other change proposed, and appeared in all the publicity, was the 145 being extended from Redbridge Station to Falmouth Gardens, the buses were even blinded for Falmouth Gardens. The 366 was later extended to Falmouth Gardens when the 145 and 366 swapped western terminals, with the 145 running through to Leytonstone Green Man.

10 years later there was also a proposed new route in that area, the 306, running from Ilford to Woodford Bridge via Redbridge station every 30 mins. 

[ThinLizzy]

Apr 22, 2020 13:57:15 GMT TB123 said:

Apr 22, 2020 13:54:44 GMT ThinLizzy said:

Many years ago, during the Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge and Havering route changes (circa 1993/94), the 362 was going to be extended from Barkingside to Ilford via Gants Hill and Beehive Lane. The extension appeared in all the publicity sent out by London Transport advertising the changes.

About a year later, the 462 arrived running between Ilford and Barkingside via the proposed 362 extension using tiny D-reg Mercedes minibuses with manual gearboxes.

The other change proposed, and appeared in all the publicity, was the 145 being extended from Redbridge Station to Falmouth Gardens, the buses were even blinded for Falmouth Gardens. The 366 was later extended to Falmouth Gardens when the 145 and 366 swapped western terminals, with the 145 running through to Leytonstone Green Man.

10 years later there was also a proposed new route in that area, the 306, running from Ilford to Woodford Bridge via Redbridge station every 30 mins. 

I was trying to remember where the 306 was going to end up at its "Northern end." I seem to remember the routing was something like from Ilford, York Road, the Drive and Roding Lane South. Could have been a really useful link.

[TB123]

The 406 was also proposed to be extended to Teddington in 2002, some buses receiving blindsets which said 'via Kingston'

[snowman]

Apr 22, 2020 13:53:06 GMT cc2005 said:

Somewhat more current, but the Richmond area changes to routes 110, H22, 419, 493, etc which were meant to happen but got postponed due to Hammersmith Bridge closure, and I assume are postponed again due to current circimstances…. are these ever going to happen?

I think it was suspended due to Hammersmith bridge closure overtaking events.

Something odd then happened, the open Consultation was removed completely than than updated saying on hold. So maybe secretly erased.

[M1104]

There were plans to extend the 3 beyond Crystal Palace down the hill to Anerley Station and on the other end via Charing Cross Road to Tottenham Court Road.

[southlondonbus]

I wondered if the 406 was going to replace the 465 along Sandy Lane of have both routes still?

[southlondonbus]

Apr 22, 2020 14:37:32 GMT M1104 said:

There were plans to extend the 3 beyond Crystal Palace down the hill to Anerley Station and in the other end via Charing Cross Road to Tottenham Court Road.

The 322 aswell was going to extend before the 249 and 432 were chosen.

[lonmark]

I remember for Bus Route 199 was planned to extended to Bromley North. But now route 320 was chosen for extended to Catford bridge.

web.archive.org/web/20040915025229/http://www.londonbusroutes.net:80/changes.htm

[southlondonbus]

The 312/412 thou not sure if that counts as that didnt get beyond the consultation stage.

[TB123]

Apr 22, 2020 15:01:17 GMT lonmark said:

I remember for Bus Route 199 was planned to extended to Bromley North. But now route 320 was chosen for extended to Catford bridge.

web.archive.org/web/20040915025229/http://www.londonbusroutes.net:80/changes.htm

Goodness I remember that proposal. That went on for ages. I seem to remember a lack of layover space in Bromley North stopping it from proceeding hence why the 320 was chosen. I still think the 199 would have been the better one to extend. I think the plan was to move the 199 to TB and the 208 to TL. Which based on the schedules proposed would have made sense.