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Conor Woodman. Conor Woodman told Brent Council\\\u2019s Cabinet that residents will \u201ccontinue to fight this injustice\u201d. Image Credit: Brent Council. Permission to use with all LDRS partners<\/p>\nThe vibrations caused by double-decker buses driving down three North London streets late at night have been described by residents as \u201clike the start of an earthquake\u201d as they report damage to their homes as a result.<\/p>\n
The vibrations, which are said to be amplified by bus drivers hurtling over the speed bumps, are waking children up every night and causing significant damage to properties, residents of the roads in Brent have claimed.<\/p>\n
Residents of the three roads in Kensal Rise have been campaigning to get the authorities to take action over a decision by Transport for London (TfL) and bus operator, Metroline, to route changes that have meant out-of-service buses are using the small streets as a \u201cshortcut\u201d back to the depot in Willesden Junction from 5am to 1am. Concerns have also been raised about drivers allegedly exceeding the speed limit and the use of much heavier electric buses on the unreinforced roads.<\/p>\n
Conor Woodman, highlighted the \u201cnegative impact\u201d that changes to the number 28 and 187 bus routes have had on residents of Liddell Gardens, Doyle Gardens and College Road at a recent meeting of Brent Council\u2019s Cabinet (May 19). The Liddell Gardens resident claimed they have had a profound effect on both their quality of life and the condition of their properties.<\/p>\n
Conor Woodman. Conor Woodman told Brent Council\\\u2019s Cabinet that residents will \u201ccontinue to fight this injustice\u201d. Image Credit: Brent Council. Permission to use with all LDRS partners<\/p>\n
Addressing the Cabinet, Mr Woodman said: \u201cImagine if your own children were being woken every night, imagine the effect that would have on their, and indeed your, mental health. [\u2026] Imagine a vulnerable person in your own life and how distressed they would be if their property was being systematically damaged by something they feel powerless to stop.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Woodman said the residents of these roads have \u201ccollectively sent hundreds of emails\u201d to Brent Council, TfL and Metroline, but claimed no action has been taken. They have also paid to have two surveys commissioned \u2013 seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) \u2013 to collect evidence and demonstrate the effect it is having on them.<\/p>\n
One was conducted by an independent acoustics specialist to assess the impact in terms of disruption to residents and physical damage to their properties. Evidence was collected in the form of video footage that was taken during two 24-hour periods in April. It found that, during one period, vibrations caused by passing buses \u201cexceeded British standard\u201d 40 times, at a level where disruption \u201cwould likely cause complaint\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Woodman said: \u201cEven more concerning is that five times in the same period passing buses on Liddell Gardens exceeded a level at which they could be expected to cause structural damage in an unreinforced building \u2013 which means every house in these streets.\u201d<\/p>\n
A second survey was carried out to quantify the impact on local residents, which received 100 responses from residents of the three roads. The survey revealed that 64 per cent of respondents reported that their children were being woken every night by the buses and 96 per cent of households with vulnerable residents had experienced property damage or disruption to their lives.<\/p>\n
Mr Woodman said the figures are a \u201ccause for great concern\u201d whilst emphasising that they are \u201cnot just figures, they are real people\u2019s lives we are talking about\u201d.<\/p>\n
Kathy Slevin, a widow in her late 70s who has lived on Liddell Gardens for more than 40 years, said the buses are keeping her awake every night and described them passing by as being \u201clike the start of an earthquake\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mother of a newborn baby, Hannah Layton, 33, submitted photos of cracks that have appeared in her recently decorated kitchen. Further photographic evidence filed by more than 50 residents showed damage to woodwork, plaster, and paintwork. Mr Woodman, who has been urging the council, TfL and Metroline to take action for years, said \u201cenough is enough\u201d.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cIt\u2019s not for us to offer a solution but we see obvious issues that could be addressed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Woodman called for a halt to all bus activity on Liddell and Doyle Gardens until the damage that has already been done can be addressed and a permanent solution is found.<\/p>\n
He suggested this should involve the removal of the existing speed bumps, which he claims are amplifying the vibrations, as well as implementing alternative speed reduction measures \u2013 such as chicanes or speed cameras \u2013 and limiting bus operations between the early morning and late night hours. He added: \u201cEmpty buses coming down at 1am or 5am is intolerable.\u201d<\/p>\n
In response to claims residents weren\u2019t asked before the changes were made, TfL have said that consultations are only required when changes are made to \u201cin-service routes\u201d and as the buses are travelling back to the garage it was not necessary to engage with residents about the changes.<\/p>\n
TfL\u2019s Head of Bus Performance, Philip Gerhardt, told the LDRS: \u201cWe remain committed to ensuring the safety of customers and residents. Our bus drivers have been reminded of speed restrictions and to remain considerate of residents in the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore than 60 per cent of our bus fleet, including all buses on route 187, are fitted with intelligent speed assist which limits the bus\u2019s speed to the road\u2019s speed limit.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cAlongside the operator Metroline, we continue to work closely with residents and Brent Council to address their concerns. We always welcome feedback on our services, and we continue to explore long-term alternatives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regarding the introduction of the new 13.5 tonnes electric buses, which are around double the weight of the old ones, Mr Woodman stressed that whilst residents are not against efforts to promote greener travel he suggested the current infrastructure is unable to adequately cater for them. Liddell and Doyle Gardens are not reinforced with a concrete sub-layer, as main roads are, so he urged the authorities to \u201creinforce the roads or re-route the buses\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cAs heavier electric buses are introduced the infrastructure needs to keep up. [\u2026] The roads are not suitable for these buses and the situation is unsustainable. [\u2026] We\u2019re not going away, we will continue to fight this injustice.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Skirting Damage. The bus vibrations have caused extensive property damage to homes on the three roads. Image Credit: Kathy Slevin. Permission to use with all LDRS partners<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for Metroline told the LDRS they \u201chave been engaging closely with the residents of Liddell Gardens and Doyle Gardens since concerns were first raised\u201d, as well as attending meetings alongside representatives of TfL and Brent Councillors. They said driver performance systems and on-site speed checks are in place, as well as stating that \u201call Metroline vehicles comply with the latest Euro VI emission standards\u201d.<\/p>\n
They added: \u201cLiddell Gardens was chosen as the most suitable light running route as it is a long-established route for service buses, however we are working closely with TfL to explore alternatives. We continue to reassure residents that drivers are regularly reminded to use appropriate speed on these roads and to be considerate of the residents in the area. Residents who continue to have concerns are advised to approach Brent as the relevant highway authority.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brent Council Leader, Cllr Muhamemd Butt, said he \u201ctotally understands\u201d and that the problem \u201cis going to be taken seriously\u201d. He added: \u201c[I] appreciate the issue about the noise and the impact on young children, especially if it is causing that much of a nuisance in order to wake up young kids during their hours of needful sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cllr Butt proposed a site visit with residents, alongside councillors and council officers, as well as speaking to TfL and Metroline to look at introducing time restrictions and reinforcing the roads. Mr Woodman said these measures are \u201cnowhere near enough\u201d and \u201cnot even close to what we are asking for\u201d.<\/p>\n
Cabinet Member for Public Realm & Enforcement, Cllr Krupa Sheth, said: \u201cWe fully understand residents\u2019 frustrations with the issues and the ongoing problems this is causing. We are committed to working with TfL and Metroline to try and find a workable solution.\u201d<\/p>\n
She described previous responses by Metroline as \u201cdisappointing\u201d as there had been no changes to bus routes or times and drivers had continued not abiding by the speed limit. She added: \u201cWe are going to try and make sure that relevant enforcement action is taken when this is flouted and there is a commitment by the council to overview the current resurfacing on Liddell Gardens to see what we can do to improve that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since the LDRS got involved and since those comments were obtained, TfL have written to residents to inform them that from June 28, the number 28 bus will no longer be light running along Liddell and Doyle Gardens.<\/p>\n
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