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TfL's controversial withdrawal of route 283 sparks community backlash over accessibility concerns

Saturday, 1 November 2025 5:06AM UTC

Transport for London plans to withdraw bus route 283 in West London, prompting protests from residents, politicians, and healthcare providers who fear increased travel times and reduced access to essential services, despite efforts to optimise the network amid financial pressures.

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed plans to withdraw bus route 283, which runs between Hammersmith Bus Station and East Acton, from mid-December, despite significant opposition from local residents, politicians, and key stakeholders. The withdrawal is part of a wider reshaping of bus services in West London designed to reflect shifting passenger demand and to achieve cost savings amid ongoing financial pressures.

The changes will also involve rerouting two other services, routes 72 and N72, to cover the White City Estate along the current 283 route. Although no stops will be missed under the new arrangements, TfL acknowledges that some journey times will increase, prompting concerns about accessibility, especially for vulnerable passengers and those travelling to Hammersmith Hospital. Approximately 75 percent of respondents in a summer consultation opposed the proposals, citing the potential for reduced direct links to critical transport nodes and healthcare facilities. Only 4 percent expressed support for the plans.

Geoff Hobbs, TfL’s Director of Public Transport Service Planning, stated that the modifications are intended to better align services with actual passenger usage patterns, reflecting changing demands. He added that TfL would continue to monitor the network closely to ensure its bus services remain comprehensive and deliver value for money. The consultation report revealed a total of 709 responses, the vast majority from the public, highlighting widespread dissatisfaction. Local groups, Hammersmith and Fulham Council, and the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust voiced strong objections, particularly concerned about the impact on access to Hammersmith Hospital—the Trust emphasising that the hospital's remote location from any Underground station and limited parking make bus access especially important.

To mitigate some of these concerns, TfL has promised to increase the frequency of route 272 in the evenings and boost service on route 72 in the mornings and all day on Sundays. These enhancements are planned for implementation by February, following the December changes. Despite these mitigations, local officials remain deeply concerned. Councillor Florian Chevoppe-Verdier from Hammersmith and Fulham Council criticised the decision as a blow to public transport connectivity in an already isolated part of the borough, warning that the loss of route 283 risks leaving many residents without adequate access to essential services.

Labour MP Andy Slaughter also expressed disappointment, recognising the value of routes 283 and 72 as vital links in the area. He committed to pressing TfL to monitor the new arrangements and enhance service reliability if necessary. Similarly, the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust reiterated its concerns about the impact on patients, visitors, and staff, announcing plans to engage directly with TfL on the matter.

The decision to withdraw route 283 continues a pattern of controversial service changes enacted by TfL in recent years. For example, last year, TfL cut the 414 route between Marble Arch and Putney Bridge despite public opposition. Additionally, in January 2024, services on route 283 had previously been increased on weekends to reduce waiting times, demonstrating attempts to respond to passenger needs before the more recent decision to withdraw the route altogether.

Route 72, which dates back to the 1930s and serves as a key corridor through East Acton, White City, and Shepherd's Bush, will be rerouted to partly replace the withdrawn 283 service. The night equivalent, route N72, will also be adjusted to cover White City Estate, maintaining night-time access in the area. These adjustments are part of TfL's broader efforts to streamline the network and concentrate resources according to evolving travel patterns, but they remain contentious among local communities who fear reduced accessibility and longer travel times.

TfL emphasises its commitment to delivering efficient and financially sustainable bus services, yet the backlash from both the public and elected representatives underscores the delicate balance between operational pragmatism and community needs. The debate highlights ongoing challenges for London's transport planners in maintaining vital local links against the backdrop of tight budgets and shifting passenger behaviours.

📌 Reference Map:

Paragraph 1 – ^[1] (MyLondon), ^[5] (Shepherd's Bush W12)
Paragraph 2 – ^[1] (MyLondon), ^[4] (Fandom N72), ^[7] (Fandom 72)
Paragraph 3 – ^[1] (MyLondon)
Paragraph 4 – ^[1] (MyLondon)
Paragraph 5 – ^[1] (MyLondon), ^[2] (LBHF)
Paragraph 6 – ^[1] (MyLondon)
Paragraph 7 – ^[1] (MyLondon)
Paragraph 8 – ^[1] (MyLondon), ^[3] (LBHF), ^[5] (Shepherd's Bush W12)
Paragraph 9 – ^[1] (MyLondon), ^[4] (Fandom N72), ^[7] (Fandom 72)

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.mylondon.news/news/west-london-news/tfl-axing-west-london-bus-32789936 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/news/2025/07/have-your-say-tfl-proposes-changes-283-and-72-bus-routes - In July 2025, Transport for London (TfL) proposed changes to bus routes 283 and 72, including the withdrawal of route 283 and rerouting of route 72 through the White City Estate. The consultation received significant opposition, with concerns about reduced access to Hammersmith Hospital and longer journey times. Local politicians and stakeholders, including Hammersmith and Fulham Council and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, expressed strong opposition to the proposed changes, highlighting the potential negative impact on residents and hospital accessibility.
https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/news/2024/01/bus-times-are-changing-routes-306-283-and-228 - In January 2024, TfL announced changes to bus routes 306, 283, and 228 in Hammersmith & Fulham. Route 283 saw increased frequency on weekends, with buses running every 15 minutes instead of every 20. However, route 228 was reduced from three buses an hour to two due to decreased demand. These adjustments aimed to reduce waiting times at local bus stops and better align services with customer demand.
https://bus-routes-in-london.fandom.com/wiki/London_Buses_route_N72_(1999-present) - The N72 is a night bus route in London, operating between Roehampton Bessborough Road and East Acton Brunel Road. Initially operated by London United, the route was reintroduced in May 2019 and has undergone several revisions since. As of December 2023, the N72 is proposed to be rerouted via the White City Estate to replace the threatened withdrawal of route 283, aiming to maintain service coverage in the area.
https://www.shepherdsbushw12.com/page/shared/common/hfbuses014.htm - In August 2025, TfL proposed withdrawing bus route 283, which currently runs between Hammersmith Bus Station and East Acton. The plan includes rerouting route 72 to cover much of the current 283 route, aiming to streamline operations and better align with passenger demand. Local residents and council members expressed concerns about longer journey times and reduced access to key locations, including Hammersmith Hospital.
https://new.putneysw15.com/page/putneysw15/info/conbuses005.htm - In August 2025, TfL proposed significant changes to bus services in west London, including the withdrawal of route 72 and the extension of route 272. Route 72, operating since the 1930s, would be replaced by extended routes 272 and 49. The N72 night bus service would also be discontinued. These changes aim to streamline services but have raised concerns about reduced accessibility for residents in affected areas.
https://bus-routes-in-london.fandom.com/wiki/London_Buses_route_72 - Route 72 is a bus service in London, operating between Brunel Road and Hammersmith Bridge Road, passing through East Acton, White City, Shepherd’s Bush, and Hammersmith Bus Station. As of December 2023, the route is proposed to be rerouted via the White City Estate to replace the threatened withdrawal of route 283, aiming to maintain service coverage in the area.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative is recent, with the earliest known publication date being 31 July 2025. The report is based on a press release from Transport for London (TfL), which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, the narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. Additionally, the narrative has been republished across multiple sources, including MyLondon and Shepherd's Bush W12, indicating potential recycling of content. The earliest known publication date is 31 July 2025. ([lbhf.gov.uk](https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/news/2025/07/have-your-say-tfl-proposes-changes-283-and-72-bus-routes?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative includes direct quotes from Geoff Hobbs, TfL’s Director of Public Transport Service Planning, and Councillor Florian Chevoppe-Verdier. A search for the earliest known usage of these quotes indicates that they have been used in earlier material, suggesting potential reuse. The wording of the quotes varies slightly across different sources, which may indicate paraphrasing or selective quoting. No online matches were found for some of the quotes, raising the possibility of original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The narrative originates from MyLondon, a local news outlet. While it is a known source, it may not have the same level of credibility as more established organisations like the BBC or Reuters. The report is based on a press release from TfL, which typically warrants a higher reliability score. However, the reliance on a single source and the potential for selective reporting may affect the overall reliability.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative presents a plausible scenario of TfL withdrawing bus route 283 amid local opposition. The claims are consistent with known patterns of service changes by TfL. The inclusion of direct quotes from local officials and stakeholders adds credibility. However, the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets and the potential for selective reporting may raise questions about the completeness of the information.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative presents a recent development regarding TfL's plan to withdraw bus route 283, supported by direct quotes from local officials. However, the reliance on a single source, potential reuse of quotes, and lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets raise concerns about the completeness and originality of the content. Further verification from additional sources is recommended to confirm the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the information.

Transport for London
Bus services
Community opposition