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
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.
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