23/02/2024
We have received the following update from TFL about changes to bus routes which will start on Saturday 9 March.
Last year we consulted on changes to three bus routes in Havering (routes 346, 347 and 497) and the consultation report was published last month outlining details of the changes being taken forward. I have provided details of changes taking place below and a map is also attached.
Route 346 (currently operating between Upminster station and Upminster Park Estate): The route will be extended from Upminster station via Hall Lane, Shepherds Hill, Squirrels Heath Road and Gubbins Lane to Harold Wood station, where it will then replace current route 497 from Harold Wood station to Harold Hill, Dagnam Park Square. Buses on route 346 will operate every 20 minutes instead of every 15 minutes on Monday to Saturdays, and a new Sunday service will also be introduced with buses running every 30 minutes. All current stops on routes 346 and 497 will continue to be served once the changes come into place.
Route 497 (Harold Wood station to Harold Hill, Dagnam Park Square): The route, which currently operates all day Monday to Saturday, will be replaced in its entirety by route 346. Customers can continue to make the same journeys using route 346 and benefit from a more frequent service, with a bus every 20 minutes instead of every 30 minutes all day Monday to Saturday, and services on Sundays too.
Route 347 (Romford station to Ockendon station): Will continue to operate and will be kept under review.
We will monitor these changes to ensure capacity matches demand. We will be emailing customers and other local stakeholders about the affected routes ahead of the changes and bus stop publicity will also be updated. We encourage customers to check their journeys using the planning tools on our website or the TfL Go app.