What happened to the possible extension of the 63 bus?

[the-e-dealer]

I'm a large chunk . I want the 63 extension. Has Quintytone done a survey?

[ianc]

In response to the discussion about the hill (sorry, coming late to this)...

I'm afraid the hill IS an issue. Until mid-2011, I used to live at the end of Therapia Road, very close to where the 63 turns. During *any* amount of snow, the buses would be sliding into the curb alongside Therapia Road, way before the turning point 2 streets further up beyond Marmora Road at Wood Vale. It was as if they could gain no traction at all on that final stretch of road. We used to have to do without the 63 the moment there was any snow, and catch it from down by the Rye.

To extend the route would either need acceptance that it would be impassible in snow (as per Dog Kennel Hill, I guess?) or some form of solution.

[neilson99]

I'd also support an extension, and a survey, and I don't think that the chunk of people on this "here" forum can be assumed to speak for all of those who would have a voice. In the event that there is a day or two every year or two when it snows and the hill becomes impassible, I think we could live with that.

I would say, while I appreciate people see this as SE London's equivalent of the north face of the Eiger, I've been up enough narrow winding roads in France and Austria enough times on enough busses during snowy conditions we very rarely see here, to suspect that if we can't get a bus up and around the corner its more to do with TFL's barely trained bus drivers than the busses themselves.

[the-e-dealer]

Look. when it is snowing there are many impassable or difficult roads that buses cant get through. Are all these route cancelled forever ? NO. Also trains are often stuck in the snow but for the rest of the year they run fine. INFACT HEATHROW WAS SHUT FOR SEVERAL DAYS DUE TO SNOW. Did we close it permanently? NO. Just because weather may stop a route temporariliy doesnt mean it is not viable. In fact when It snows I sometime dont go out because it is so slippery. Should I be cancelled? (DUCKS!)

[nimby]

My worry is that if a meteor hit the road the bus would be disrupted. I think an extension would therefore be unwise. Also a Total Eclipse of the Sun would make it very dark. Oh yes and what abot Tsunamis?

[James Barber]

The number 63 find it hard to turn in any snow is really down to ward councillors ensuring this site is in Southwark's gritting plan.

As the-e-dealer is pointing out buses are routed over Dog Kennel Hill which is equally steep - and apart from dodging meteors they run except in the most severe conditions when Lordship Lane buses struggle anyway.

[Gerrard]

TonyQuinn - thank you for representing me but please don't do it again. I fully support an extension and would use it frequently to shop in East Dulwich, rather than driving and parking in the overcrowded streets surrounding Lordship Lane.

Back in your box, if you would be so kind.

[Renata Hamvas]

Nimby- you made me LOL!

In terms of the top of the hill. I know it's a nightmare. Erratic parking ( enforcement officers do go up there) and a crossing point that doesn't work. I did point out to council officers this was not a functional crossing point (the assumption is that cars will stop to allow people to cross-they don't!). This was decided before I was a councillor. I did asked why it was not more joined up with Lewisham, Lewisham had no money at the time for crossing points/traffic calming/road layout improvements. I was told that that another bid for money to sort the top of the hill would be submitted after the Olympics. I'll chase up on this.

Renata

[TonyQuinn]

Gerrard, I can assure you I have no intention of representing you in anyway whatsoever. My comment was just a general gauge of the comments flowing on this thread.

Renata, I have been in touch with the Southwark crew regarding the junction of Forest Hill Road/Honor Oak Road/Honor Oak Park and they said the same about the cost. They assured me other "improvements" would be addressed going all the way down FHR to Colyton Road, but that nothing was planned for what is clearly the most dangerous part of the road. To see a car having to be dragged out of the school gates was a reminder of what's at stake up there.

Gerrard Wrote:

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> TonyQuinn - thank you for representing me but

> please don't do it again. I fully support an

> extension and would use it frequently to shop in

> East Dulwich, rather than driving and parking in

> the overcrowded streets surrounding Lordship Lane.

>

>

> Back in your box, if you would be so kind.

[Renata Hamvas]

Hi Tony,

nothing is planned from the current pot of money and the current works for the top of the hill. But there are plans to do more works here in the future (more money needed though).

Renata

[lulu]

I am a HOP resident and would thoroughly support any direct links with ED. At the moment I have to trek to Brockley Rise to get the 185, one of the few links to Ll. Like a lot of other HOP residents I make regular trips to ED to utilise the shops and amenities available particularly those which HOP is lacking. Given the distance by car it seems ridiculous that there are no direct public transport routes. It's a shame that no budget is available to rectify this as I think the demand is there. The east London line links are a bonus...

[dbboy]

Lulu - the P4 would be a lot quicker to link HOP to LL

[HopOne]

dbboy, for the shops, the P4 goes to the wrong end of Lordship Lane.

[dbboy]

yep, change at the Woodvale/barracks stop

[henryb]

I think people are after a direct link.

Failing the 63 extension I think a new regular route like Bic Basher suggested would be fantastic especially if continued on Denmark Hill and the Hospital. Thinking about it - would probably negate most of my reasons for local car journeys.

I think a route linking up 3 train stations, HOP, Lordship Lane, Peckham Rye Park, King?s Hospital and not to mention a few schools would be used a lot. It would reduce congestion, commute parking and increase footfall on Lordship Lane and in HOP. The more I think about it the better it gets.

[HopOne]

henryb, agreed re direct link.

Re new bus service - sounds absolutely wonderful. However it would also be very expensive. Extending the 63 bus would require operating perhaps 4 or 5 extra buses IIRC, so if the demand can be demonstrated then the funding would be much easier to find.

[the-e-dealer]

What about a mini bus they are cheaper. From the top of Friern Road to Honor Oak Park station. On demand would be good!

[LondonMix]

A survey seems like the best way forward. Most of the issues raised have solutions but we cannot tell if the solutions are financially viable / worthwhile investments. If we do the survey, we can gauge the need for the route and if the route would be self-funding which will allow everyone to figure out how much its worth spending addressing some of the other valid points raised.

I'm not sure there is much more anyone can say about this until the survey is done.

[Bic Basher]

Medley Wrote:

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> The Overground in the peaks at HOP is crowded, but

> that's a reason to have longer and more trains -

> not a reason for people not to have better links

> to it.

Overground trains from HOP and PR/DH will be extended to 5 cars by 2016. This is likely to help relieve existing capacity issues.