Bus depot plans defended

2:29pm Saturday 10th November 2007

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A COUNCILLOR has defended a new bus depot in East Acton, amid fears the area it is being built in is already unsafe for pedestrians.

Councillor Rosa Popham (Con, Hobbayne) said the plans for the bus depot in Cunard Road, which were approved by Ealing Council this week, are adequate.

However, residents have argued the area is unsafe after five-year-old Rachel Popoola was knocked down and almost killed in a hit-and-run accident two weeks ago, just metres from where the depot will be built.

Cllr Popham said: "We must take into consideration that bus drivers are some of the safest drivers around, they get lots of training, and the last thing they would want is to rush out of the bus station and knock someone down.

"Unfortunately accidents do sometimes happen, but bus drivers are also not the sort of people who are going to run off if something does happen."

Rachel was hit while crossing North Acton Road on Saturday, October 27, and residents fear the bus depot will add to the traffic problems in the area.

However Cllr Popham, who voted in favour of the plans, insisted proper safety precautions are included in the final proposal.

She said: "The transport officers for the planning department reassured us safety measures will be put in place, including sorting out the entrance."

Conditions on the plans include restricted speed limits in Cunard Road, a cap on the number of buses using the site, and upgrading the junction between Chase Road and Cunard Road.

But there are no plans at the moment to lay pavements in Cunard Road.

Travel London Ltd, the bus operator which will run the depot, has promised the depot will service mostly local bus routes, and create 120 new jobs.