R68 Delay

12.00.00am GMT Fri 13th Dec 2002

Kew Councillors, Tony Barnett and Serge Lourie have reacted angrily to news that the proposed extension of the R68 to Kew Retail Park will be delayed until the Spring.

Speaking after a meeting at York House, Cllr Tony Barnett said, "We were assured that the much needed replacement for the hospital bus would be introduced in January and that Transport for London had taken all the necessary steps to ensure that it could run."

"This will be a great disappointment for residents of Mortlake Road and the flats in Brick Far, Magnolia and Hawthorn Courts"

Serge Lourie revealed that the R68 will not actually be extended to Kew until March 29th - although even this date may change.

The reason for the delay was initially that TfL had not progressed the exemption to the right turn at Chalkers Corner, and then that Tellings Golden Miller did not have the chance to recruit additional bus drivers.

London Buses will be delivering letters to the residents of Mortlake Road who will now have a bus along their road.

"I am shocked that administrative problems have delayed the introduction of this much needed bus."

"I went on the test runs at the beginning of the year and am amazed that TfL has been unable to get its act together and introduce the R68 on time."