WIREDGOV

Transport for London is encouraging local people to get involved in a public consultation on route options for the East London Transit from Barking town centre to Dagenham Dock via Barking Riverside.  The consultation starts on Thursday 24 May and finishes on Friday 13 July 2007. 

 

The new East London Transit service will provide a vital transport link that will help regenerate Barking and the surrounding area.  The transit will revitalise this part of London by providing better access to jobs, education, healthcare and community facilities for existing and future communities. 

 

Bus-only routes, which are segregated from other traffic, with greener hybrid-engine buses will mean fast, frequent and pleasant journeys for passengers.  Well-lit waiting areas and 'real-time' passenger information will all help to encourage residents to use the bus.

Transport for London is seeking views on four route options:

 

·   Option a: Bastable Avenue and Busway;
·   Option b: Thames Road and Creek Road;
·   Option c: Crossness Road and Busway;
·   Option d: Creek Road Busway.

 

Tony Antoniou, TfL's Programme Director for Busway Transit, said:

 

"We would like to hear which route the local community prefers. These views are important and will help us choose a service that really meets transport needs.

 

"The East London Transit will create a vital transport link for people in Barking and make journeys to work, school and social activities more reliable and comfortable.  These buses will be less polluting vehicles running on their own special bus lanes, which will shorten travel times."

 

Councillor Sid Kallar, Executive Member for Regeneration said: "The East London Transit is a high quality transit system that will have a positive and lasting impact on the regeneration of Barking and Dagenham.

 

"It will feature the latest in bus technology, high levels of priority over other traffic, excellent passenger information and boarding facilities, and there will be a major upgrade of the appearance of the streets it runs along.

 

"As ever we want to hear the views of residents on this scheme, and hope that as many people as possible take up the opportunity to participate in the consultation process."

 

At first, the service will run between Barking and Barking Riverside and as more people and businesses move to the area, the service will extend to Dagenham Dock.  The East London Transit is just one scheme in a package of transport measures for the Thames Gateway.  This modern bus transit will make travel easier by providing additional links to the London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, National rail and other local bus services.

 

Transport for London is holding public consultation exhibitions on route options for East London Transit from Barking town centre to Dagenham Dock via Barking Riverside - these will be held on Saturday 9 June between 10am and 4pm and Monday 18 June between 9am to 8pm at the Sue Bramley Centre, Bastable Avenue, Barking.  More than 3,000 leaflets are also being sent to local businesses and people living near the route options asking them for their opinions.

 

Notes to editors:

 

Full details of the proposals can be found at www.tfl.gov.uk/elt

TfL Press Office       
020 7126 4883