Transport for London (TfL) has reversed its decision to introduce a new priority bus lane in a busy part of Sutton following feedback from residents and the local authority.
Sutton Council said the plans were the ‘wrong answer, in the wrong place, at the wrong time.’
The proposed bus lane was planned for the southbound side of the A217, between Sutton Common Road and Kimpton Park Way on Oldfields Road. This section is a busy thoroughfare joining Surrey with the outer London boroughs and often faces congestion.
The proposals first emerged last year as part of Mayor Sadiq Kahn’s plans to create 25km of new bus lanes by the end of March 2025.
For this plan, the Mayor committed to working with borough councils to ensure they met the area’s needs.
News of the proposals drew much attention from residents, who feared they would have ‘caused traffic chaos.’ Hundreds of residents subsequently voiced their concerns about the plan during public consultations earlier this year.
Sutton Council formally objected to the proposal in October 2024, outlining several key issues.
The council, along with Sutton and Cheam MP Luke Taylor, argued that the proposed bus lane’s short length would have little impact on bus journey times.
Additionally, they felt the lane’s location was not ideal for improving travel efficiency.
Sutton’s leaders also questioned funding allocation from the Mayor of London, suggesting that the money could be better spent on public transport improvements elsewhere in the borough.
TfL confirmed that the decision would be reversed due to the strength of opposition to the plans.
In a letter sent to Council Leader Barry Lewis by December 5, Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said: “As you know, TfL undertook some early stakeholder engagement on its plans for introducing a bus lane on the southbound carriageway of the A217 Oldfields Road, before beginning its public engagement on the scheme.
“This included talking to officers and taking Ward Councillors, including Councillor Woolmer, through the plans and explaining the reasons and methodology for choosing this location.
“TfL also recently met with Luke Taylor MP to discuss the scheme and received representations from the Kimpton Park Business Improvement District (BID).
“TfL has carefully considered the feedback following these meetings and listened to the concerns and issues raised. In light of this feedback, TfL has decided not to pursue the introduction of the proposed lane at this location.”
He added, “TfL will continue to work with colleagues and seek to develop suitable alternative upgrades to the A217 where feasible.”
Council leader Lewis, Leader of Sutton Council, welcomed the decision: “This announcement from Transport for London shows how important it is to make Sutton’s case at the highest levels possible and how we can win for our borough.
“The strength of feeling from our residents was clear: the TfL proposals for a bus lane in Oldfields Road were the wrong answer, in the wrong place, at the wrong time. The Council supported this view and made its views known formally to TfL bosses.
“It’s great that Transport for London has listened to Sutton residents and councillors and that we have seen off the proposed bus lane in Oldfields Road.”
The new Sutton and Cheam MP Taylor added: “I am relieved that TfL has taken our comments on board and agreed to stop this unpopular proposal.
“People in Sutton knew that this bus lane could have caused traffic chaos. It is disappointing this project was the best idea TfL could come up with to improve public transport in Sutton.
“I hope TfL will now consider proper options for our borough – including extending the London Overground, linking us to the Tram network and increasing peak hour capacity so that residents can rely that buses will even turn up, and be able to get a seat, rather than be told that the bus isn’t picking up.”