The council has welcomed plans by London Buses for more frequent services on the 485 route linking Putney and Barnes.

Consultation is due to start later this month on changes to the existing service which is limited to hourly off peak services to Richmond.

The new route would run from Wandsworth to Putney and Hammersmith via Barnes Pond, Castlenau and Hammersmith Bridge and would operate to a half-hourly timetable throughout the day from 7am to 7pm.

The extra services will be welcomed by residents in the Lower Richmond Road area of Putney.  Cabinet member for regeneration and transport Guy Senior said "People in this part of Putney have felt cut off from Barnes and Hammersmith for years. Instead of having to walk across the common to catch a bus from Rocks Lane they will now have a direct service.

"The current plans are the result of some persistent lobbying by the council on behalf of residents and bus users. We have already written to London Buses supporting their new plans. We are also urging the company to run services on Sundays and throughout the evenings - this is particularly necessary on dark winter nights when many people are reluctant to walk across the common alone."

July 22, 2005