Features

Non-stop stress

lucille-1

Recent changes to local bus routes have impacted the lives of many Wanstead residents, none more so than Lucille Grant, who believes her health has suffered as a result of the stress caused

I am 86, living in Wanstead, with several health issues after suffering four heart attacks. I believe my last heart attack was caused by stress due to the recent changes to local bus routes. Initially, I didn’t realise how my daily activities would become so difficult when the W12, W13 and W14 bus routes were changed by TfL in September 2024. I was shocked when I found out about the changes coming in. I was told the proposals had been online, but I struggle with computers.

I regularly used the previous W12 route; I was upset the original 15-minute W12 was reduced to just every half hour, but this was better than nothing. The bus was used by older people, those who have mobility difficulties, schoolchildren, mums with buggies and young people using Wanstead Youth Centre (when it was open). The new changes have totally disregarded those residents and we just struggle from one day to the other and nobody seems to care.

The new routes caused utter confusion using the original bus numbers W12 and W14, but going in totally different directions. I, too, have tried hard to cope with the hourly run W14 (replacement of the W12) that now serves the Nightingale Estate. However, being elderly and in poor health, I had to resort to using taxis, which I can ill afford on a minimum pension.

Recently, I waited for the W14 on Grosvenor Road, but it never arrived, and as it is only an hourly service, I decided I could not stand waiting in the cold, so had no choice but to walk, very slowly, back home in the dark, which took me about an hour. This made me anxious to go out, leaving me feeling confined in my home.

I now rely on friends who are still able to drive to take me shopping, to the doctor and other places, which does prohibit the independence I value.

So, please support the Save Our Local Bus Services campaign led by Liz Martins. There has been some success in getting TfL to review their changes sooner – in six months’ time instead of a year – but that is not good enough for residents like me who are suffering.

The campaign group are trying to garner the support of Calvin Bailey MP to help people like me by ensuring TfL immediately increases the frequency of the W14 and makes the following stops permanent: Wanstead Place, Woodbine Place, before South Woodford Station and inside Whipps Cross Hospital. That is the minimum we need. Finally, if you are able to assist with legal action, get in touch to let us know.


To view the petition, visit wnstd.com/bus

If you are affected by the local bus route changes, submit your experience to Calvin Bailey MP. Visit wnstd.com/busform

Editor
Author: Editor