BCA's response to TfL consultation on buses in Barnes
The Barnes Community Association has submitted a formal response to Transport for London’s consultation on proposed changes to local bus routes. Our submission was prepared by the BCA Travel Barnes Committee. If you are interested in travel in Barnes and would like to join the Travel Barnes committee please get in touch with Emma Robinson emma@barnes-ca.org.
Cover Letter
Dear Sir or Madam,
Thank you for looking into how to improve bus services in Barnes and for organising this consultation exercise.
Barnes Community Association supports Transport for London’s efforts to review and move beyond the emergency measures introduced following the closure of Hammersmith Bridge in 2019, particularly those involving dead running and turning loops through residential estate roads, including (but not limited to) Howsman Road.
The BCA will continue to urge TfL to eliminate all routes using Howsman Road, including those outside of the current consultation, with focus on the 33 bus, which remains the most frequent and disruptive service to residents.
At the same time, the BCA sees this review as an opportunity, in the continuing absence of bus services across Hammersmith bridge, to improve bus links from Barnes to the tube network at Hammersmith and Putney Bridge stations while maintaining good connections within Barnes itself.
Please find attached our supporting document, which outlines our feedback on each route proposal included in the current consultation.
Yours faithfully,
Paul Hodson
Community Travel Chair
Barnes Community Association
Travel Barnes Letter to TfL
22st October 2025
This document represents the response of the Travel Barnes Committee of the Barnes Community Association to Transport for London’s (TfL’s) consultation on buses in Barnes as set out on 10th September 2025.
Representatives from the Travel Barnes Committee attended all three TfL consultation events in Barnes and Mortlake. Representatives also attended resident meetings held at the Castelnau Community Centre on 18tt, 20th and 21st October, where we engaged with TfL and residents.
Service 378
1. We ask that the 378 service is extended to drop off and pick up passengers from outside Putney Bridge tube station. The 378 bus is the only east- west connection between Barnes and a tube station. This would encourage greater ridership numbers.
2. We ask for increased frequency for this service to offset the time lost by going into the London Wetlands Centre. The need for greater frequency is also evidenced by increased ridership over the last three years.
3. We ask for increased phasing of the traffic lights at the south end of Castelnau for Queen Elizabeth walk when the sports fields are being used, to stop the bus losing time in the queuing traffic.
Service 485
1. To compensate for the change in service and reduced frequency of buses on Church road, we ask TfL to look to add an additional bus stop on Mill Hill Road, to serve residents on roads to the south of Church Road and from Rocks Lane (location in Appendix). This should also help keep speeds at 20 mph on a stretch of road where the speed limit is regularly exceeded.
Replacement Service 209 (533)
1. Support for Extended 209 Service
We support the proposal to extend the 209 service and replace the temporary emergency measure (route 533).
2. Service Frequency and Demand
Given the high and growing demand for a Hammersmith link, we believe the service frequency should be at least six buses per hour during commuting times. It is also important to avoid any reduction in frequency where routes 533 and 209 currently overlap and to reflect current ridership.
(Note: Ridership on route 533 has increased by 62% between 2021 and 2024. The 209 ridership in 2023- 2024 was 110,356).
3. 209 Turnaround at Barnes Pond
We do not understand the proposal to turn the 209 at Barnes Pond. This change appears counterproductive, as it would negatively impact the BCA’s environmental and place-making ambitions for the area and inconvenience passengers travelling to and from Barnes High Street. Additionally, traffic congestion from all directions during busy periods could worsen as a result. A possible solution would be to continue the already successful 533 route in and around Barnes. It is important to note that the BCA has had more resident feedback about this suggested change than any other during this consultation.
4. 533 Reliability and Bus Lanes
The 533 service has been notoriously unreliable. To improve journey speed and consistency, bus lanes are needed on the two- and three-lane sections between Chalkers Corner and Hammersmith.
General comment, suggestions, and observations
1. Service Frequency and Timetabling
We ask that TfL review the frequency of bus services and their timetabling to ensure consistent coverage across peak and off-peak hours for Barnes commuters.
2. Real-Time Information
We ask for the installation of electronic real-time information displays at key bus stops (i.e Lonsdale Rd Stops, Castelnau, White Hart Lane) to improve reliability and journey planning for passengers.
3. Priority Service for Mobility Needs
We ask TfL to introduce a priority service across the bridge for passengers with mobility difficulties to ensure accessibility and inclusivity.
4. Cleaner, Quieter Transport
To reduce sound and air pollution, we call for all bus services operating in Barnes to transition to electric vehicles, as is currently the case with the 33 service.
5. Service 33
We ask TfL to end the emergency use of Howsman Road to turn route 33 and to review the long-term goal of eliminating the Howsman Road dead-running loop as part of a further consultation, thereby obviating the need for buses using the ‘estate’ roads to turn. Also we ask TfL to continue to look to short term solutions to ensure respite for residents along the turning loop.
Paul Hodson
Chair of Travel Barnes
On behalf of Barnes Community Association
Appendix
Key Issues
There remains an urgent need for a direct public transport link from Putney Bridge Tube Station across Putney Bridge to Barnes—this is not addressed in current proposals. The 378 bus should be allowed to drop off and pick up directly outside Putney Bridge Tube Station, improving east–west connectivity and safety.
The proposed reduction of buses using the Howsman Loop from 11 to 7 per hour (5 a.m.–1 a.m.) is insufficient.
The proposed 209 turning point outside Essex House (main GP hub and farmers market) is considered unsafe for pedestrians, especially at a busy crossing already under review by Richmond Council.
The overall reduction in bus services to Barnes is not ideal, given ongoing disruption from the Hammersmith Bridge closure and people needed to travel be connected.
Frequency of the 209 between Barnes and Hammersmith should be increased, not reduced, compared to current levels, with reliability improved by the provision of bus lanes in Hammersmith and Mortlake.
Alternative Proposals
Retain existing routes but have buses turn at the Castelnau/Lonsdale Road junction rather than using the Howsman Loop. Minor road adjustments could enable this and reduce local congestion.
The 33 bus to continue using Howsman Loop only at peak times, and otherwise turn at Mortlake Brewery at off peak times, using the stand outside. This would provide a 10+ hour daily respite for residents while improving efficiency. Alternatively, Mortlake Bus Station could be used, though this risks shifting congestion to Avondale Road.
The new turning point at Castelnau/Lonsdale Road could also serve the 33/485 route, improving access to Hammersmith Bridge and reducing traffic on Avondale Road.
The 533/209 routes should retain the existing 533 route, and consider the 209 operating one-way opposite to the 533, maintaining access along the High Street and Church Road without pedestrian risk.
Mill Hill Road Bus Stop
Barnes Bus routes & Interchange Points
| Bus Route | Direction(s) from Barnes | Major interchange points | Tube / Train / Overground connections |
|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | Barnes → Hammersmith | Hammersmith (Tube / bus station); Barnes Station | District, Piccadilly, Circle, Hammersmith & City lines (Hammersmith). Overland services at Barnes Station. |
| 265 | Barnes → Putney Bridge / Roehampton / Tolworth | Putney Bridge Station; Barnes Station | District line (Putney Bridge); Barnes Station (overland). Also access to river ferry services where noted. |
| 209 | Barnes → Hammersmith | Hammersmith Station; Mortlake Station | District, Piccadilly, Circle, Hammersmith & City lines (Hammersmith). Overland services at Mortlake Station. |
| 419 | Barnes → Hammersmith / Richmond | Hammersmith (Tube); Richmond Station | Richmond: London Overground, District line (via connections), South Western Railway — multiple connections available. |
| 485 | Barnes → Wandsworth / Clapham Junction | Clapham Junction Station | London Overground, South Western Railway (SWR), Southern. (Also local river ferry links where available.) |
| 378 | Barnes → Putney / Mortlake | Putney Bridge Station; Mortlake Station | SWR services from Putney/Mortlake towards Waterloo and other destinations; river ferry connections in places. |
| 533 | Barnes → Hammersmith / Castelnau | Hammersmith Station | Tube connections at Hammersmith (District, Piccadilly, Circle, Hammersmith & City lines). |
| 969 (limited) | Roehampton → Whitton / Richmond (via Barnes) | Richmond Station; Barnes Station | London Overground, District line (via Richmond), SWR. River ferry connections at Barnes where applicable. |
| N33 (night) | Hammersmith ↔ Richmond (via Barnes Station) | Hammersmith Station | Night-time connections to Tube lines at Hammersmith when the Tube is closed. |
| N72 (night) | East Acton ↔ Roehampton (via Barnes Station) | Hammersmith; Shepherd's Bush | Central line at Shepherd's Bush; District & Piccadilly lines at Hammersmith (night service links). |
| N22 (night) | Putney Common ↔ Piccadilly Circus (via Barnes) | Green Park / Central London interchanges | Green Park: Piccadilly, Jubilee, Victoria lines (good central connections). |
| Bus Route | Year | Ridership |
|---|---|---|
| 209 | 2023–2024 | 110,356 |
| 209 | 2022–2023 | 149,861 |
| 209 | 2021–2022 | 161,927 |
| 533 | 2023–2024 | 1,070,374 |
| 533 | 2022–2023 | 815,057 |
| 533 | 2021–2022 | 669,150 |