Bus diversion is big pain for passengers
HIGHGATE residents are furious that their bus is being diverted because of ongoing roadwork problems
Tan Parsons
HIGHGATE residents are furious that their bus is being diverted because of ongoing roadwork problems.
The W5 bus route was altered twice last year because of maintenance works on Archway Bridge following Thames Water works on Hornsey Lane.
And more delays and diversions are expected now the road has been dug up by National Grid which is carrying out work to gas mains on Fitzwarren Gardens.
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Hornsey Lane Residents Association treasurer Jane de Swiet said: "The W5 is a very important bus and yet it seems to be rerouted very easily.
"When it is taken away it means there is no bus service at all on the section of Hornsey Lane between Highgate Hill and Stan-hope Road. We have been seriously inconvenienced yet again.
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"A huge number of students at St Aloysius' College use the bus and when the children return to school after the Christmas break it's going to be terribly disruptive.
"But the worst thing is the lack of communication between the groups carrying out these works.
"I don't understand why they cannot coordinate so that all these things are done at once. As soon as one set of works finishes another one starts. Last year we were thrilled when the bridge was refurbished and strengthened - it was done beautifully. But then straight away Thames Water came and took the road up again, ruining all the good work that had been done."
Highgate Society spokesman Brendan Nolan said: "A lot of people depend on this bus and it's not acceptable that it keeps getting rerouted.
"The works last year were supposed to last on for one month and yet they ended up going on for three. Now these gasworks are also scheduled to go on for one month, but what reassurances do we have that they won't just carry on and on past the deadline?"
A spokeswoman for National Grid, which is carrying out the gas works, said: "With regards to the works in Hornsey Lane, I can confirm that the works were to put in a new gas supply to a block of flats.
"This work has now been completed and the hole in the road will be re-filled with everything back to normal by Wednesday."
The bus diversion between Archway gyratory and Stanhope Road is set to stay in place until February 4.
tan.parsons@hamhigh.co.uk
