“ Kate W:
I imagine that you given what you have written, you will appreciate that if the 384 were diverted via Stapylton Road, this would mean a very long walk indeed for residents of Wentworth Road, Byng Road and Cecil Court, where there is also demand from two primary schools, a new children's hospice and and environmental education centre. It would also mean a much longer walk for people living in roads like Falkland Road and Wrotham Road, and also for people trying to reach or come back from The Spires and Waitrose, Barnet Market, and Chipping Barnet library. These people often have heavy shopping if it is their return journey.
As I used to live at the bottom of Wentworth Road, I know that it takes at least ten minutes walking at a fast pace to reach the current Salisbury Road stop - much longer for people who find walking more difficult. The stop at The Spires is even further. If it hadn't been for the 384 stopping at the top of Wentworth Road in both directions, my daily commute would have been very much harder. I know that others in that area also support the bus, and Alston Road and Strafford Road have been on a bus route since at least 1990.
I appreciate that there are concerns about the fact that the buses have increased in size in recent years (they used to have just the one door but now they are double-door), and also that some drivers apparently drive too fast along these residential roads. However, I think these are entirely separate issues, and should not be used as excuses to divert the 384 away from Alston and Strafford roads, either in one direction or in both. ”