As local residents focus on plans for a trial of the long-awaited Muswell Hill to Swiss Cottage bus route, Lynne Featherstone has chaired a meeting at the invitation of the Highgate Society to hear the concerns of residents in Southwood Lane, Highgate, over the possible trial of the route in the lane.The meeting with residents followed an inch-by-inch walk of the route by Lynne Featherstone and Highgate councillor Neil Williams with TfL officials to highlight Southwood Lane’s concerns and to seek answers over TfL’s choice of the lane as a route.

TfL officials told the meeting that they felt the routing of the bus was sound – especially as buses have used the road in the past – but that they recognised the strength of feeling in Southwood Lane. They further said that they would call a halt within days if the trial ran into the sort of problems that the residents envisage. However, Southwood Lane residents rejected the trial and rejected the offer of TfL to bring a bus along the route at peak hours so residents could judge the situation for themselves.

Lib Dem GLA member Lynne Featherstone comments:

“Southwood Lane residents would prefer another route, and ideally so would I. However, with TfL claiming at this point in time that the routing is sound, they should be given the chance to show this via the trial. After so many years of campaigning by local groups, it would be a tragedy if this vital route does not move forward.”

Highgate councillor Neil Williams, who attended the meeting, adds: “Residents are particularly worried about the Southwood Lane routing, and I am pleased that Tfl has at least given a clear indication that they will put a stop to the trial if the problems feared do materialise.

“I will be watching the situation closely, and will continue to press Tfl to consider alternative routes for the future. With this in mind, the meeting highlighted the important point that roadworks required on alternative routes, while ruled out as too expensive for such a small trial, could be considered if the route were to expand in future.”