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1 month ago
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A 'never before served' part of Croydon will soon benefit from an updated bus service following a long-awaited fix from Transport for London (TfL). The transport operator revealed that the updated route will be operational later this month after 'safety concerns' were addressed.
The 434 route connects the hilly areas of Caterham in Surrey and Coulsdon in Croydon. It also passes through the Kenley valley on its route, on the popular A22 road.
However, following an announcement made by TfL this week, the 434 will soon be rerouted through Kenley to serve the areas in the 'hard to reach' hills above the valley. As of March 29, the route will reroute onto Higher Drive and make its way along the valley's ridge before rejoining Godstone Road in Whyteleafe.
The bus route changes are as follows:
- Right turn into Higher Drive
- Continue onto Cullesden Road
- Continue onto Firs Road
- Right turn onto Wattendon Road
- Left turn onto Hayes Lane
- Continue onto Park Road
- Continue onto Hayes Lane
- Right turn onto Godstone Road
The 434 will operate as a hail-and-ride service through this corridor (along Higher Drive, Cullesden Road, Firs Road, Wattendon Road, Hayes Lane, Park Road and Hayes Lane again). This is due to the lack of space needed for permanent stops. The existing 407 will continue to serve the main A22 road and the nearby Kenley train station.
The roads leading from Higher Drive have long been difficult to access without the use of a car. They are also a significant distance from other public transport, and are not the most accessible for the areas sizable elderly population.
As a result, calls for a dedicated bus service have been made numerous times over the years. TfL initially launched a consultation on the issue as part of the Croydon and Sutton bus review in 2020.
However, the implementation of a fix met with significant delays due partly to the pandemic and safety concerns surrounding the proposed route. In many cases, TfL found the roads too narrow and full of cars for a bus route to pass through safely.
In particular, TfL identified that the bend on Wattendon Road posed line-of-sight issues, making the bus operation unsafe. This was complicated because TfL buses are not allowed to reverse with passengers on, so a bus on that route could be prone to getting stuck.
To resolve this, yellow lines were painted along the stretch of Wattendon Road following a statutory consultation on January 7. A subsequent test run on January 10 confirmed that the new safety measures were effective, allowing the route to proceed as planned.
While the changes have come later than their original launch date of early 2024, politicians and local councillors have expressed their 'delight' following TfL's announcement.
'It's finally happening'
Neil Garratt, London Assembly Member for Croydon and Sutton, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "It's fantastic news for Kenley that the 434 is finally due. Navigating our steep, narrow roads presented real challenges, but thanks to hard work from so many people, it's finally happening. This service will be especially valuable for those who've faced the daunting prospect of climbing Kenley's hills without a car."
The launch of this new route has been a collaborative effort between TfL and Croydon Council. Alongside Mr Garratt, key supporters include local ward councillors, the Kenley Residents Association (KENDRA), Cabinet Member for Streets and Environment Cllr Scott Roche, and 'countless residents' who have long championed the need for this service.
Last year, the LDRS reported on changes made to the 439, which serves the roads below Higher Drive, on a hail-a-ride service. Following the changes to the 434, Kenley residents will enjoy much-improved access to nearby town centres and local transport.
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