Wrong Route, Right Extension

Tower Transit DML44321 on Route 70, Chiswick Business Park (© Aubrey)

The long awaited extension of a bus route to approach Chiswick Business Park from the north had finally happened on the 30th January 2016. The 70 was the selected route, but it was initially a different story.


First London DMS44420 on Route E10, Greenford (© Aubrey)

It was supposed to be Route E10 that was to be extended from Ealing Broadway to Chiswick Business Park. This would've brought many new links from Chiswick to North West London (especially Ealing), and an (arguably) quicker alternative from Chiswick to Greenford than the E3. However, due to Ealing and Hounslow Councils continuously disagreeing how to execute a right only bus turn at Gunnerbury Avenue (A406), those were scrapped and thus we don't have a bus route to the North Korean Embassy. Even these Enviro 200s had blinds ready for Chiswick Business Park! Yeah...


Tower Transit DML44328 on Route 70, Chiswick Business Park (© Aubrey)

Instead, a short extension from Acton to Chiswick was deemed sufficient by TfL, which basically only gives a link to Acton Town Station, thus a very limited set of improvements to the current set of links. It crosses the 27 twice, (at the terminus and at Notting Hill Gate), so there aren't as many benefits to extending the 70 in terms of links. The E10 extension would reach the E3 twice, but it would be quicker than the E3 (when the A406 doesn't mess up).


Tower Transit DML44323 on Route 70, Chiswick Business Park (© Aubrey)

Well, an extension of any route from the north was heavily overdue, and even this extension was actually postponed. Chiswick Business Park extensions seem to have had a history of being delayed, as even the 27 one was delayed. The "Bus stop not in use" covers were not removed on the first day of the extension.


Tower Transit DML44317 on Route 70, Chiswick Business Park (© Aubrey)

On the first day, running seemed alright, considering it was the first day of the extension. There were some confusion as to a certain bus stop (Steyne Road) being served by the 70 due to a lack of e-plate, but that should be solved by now. LVF says it stops there!


Tower Transit DML44321 on Route 70, Chiswick Business Park (© Aubrey)

I assume that the route extension will get busier as it is a quicker way to get to the tube instead of walking to Chiswick Park. However Gunnersbury is still the station of choice to commute to for workers at Chiswick Business Park. No matter how much it may not be the right route to do it, it's a good extension. Finally.

And to the driver who I gave the blog address to: sorry that the post is a tad late!