Councillor Gio Iozzi, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, approved proposals to implement new bus routes serving the Heartlands development in Wood Green. The decision involved approving traffic management orders to facilitate bus stands and stops, with a revised plan for a bus stand on Coburg Road.

Heartlands Bus Proposals for Routes 91, N91 and 232

The Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Councillor Gio Iozzi, approved the implementation of new bus routes to serve the Heartlands development in Wood Green. These changes are necessary to facilitate Transport for London's (TfL) decision to extend routes 91, N91, and 232 to the new development, which will provide approximately 2,000 new homes. The new routes will operate along Mayes Road, Coburg Road, Western Road, Mary Neuner Road, and Clarendon Road.

The decision included approving the making of all necessary traffic management orders (TMOs) to implement parking, waiting, and loading changes required for a bus stand in Coburg Road and a bus stop in Mayes Road. Councillor Iozzi also authorised the Head of Highways and Traffic to make these orders and undertake the necessary highway infrastructure works.

The proposals were developed following a review of bus operations and future needs for Wood Green by TfL, which consulted on changes to four bus routes between October and December 2023. TfL decided in March 2024 to implement its proposals, leading to the need for council-led highway changes.

A statutory consultation on the proposed highway changes, including the removal of parking bays and the introduction of double yellow lines, took place between 17 June and 8 July 2026. A total of 81 responses were received, with objections primarily concerning the loss of parking spaces, potential for increased traffic and congestion, noise disturbance, and air quality impacts. Specific concerns were raised about the impact on residents, including those with disabilities, and the safety of children due to increased traffic.

One significant point of contention was the proposed location of a bus stop on Mary Neuner Road, with several residents objecting due to concerns about noise, congestion, and a discrepancy between the location mentioned in an earlier consultation (Avalon Mansions) and the current proposal (Braeburn Mansions/Goldcrest House). Officers noted that the bus stop on Mary Neuner Road had been approved in April 2024, and discussions were held with the affected resident to address their access needs.

The decision was made to approve the implementation of the proposals outlined in Appendix A of the report, with the exception of the initial proposals for the bus stand on Coburg Road. Instead, revised proposals for the bus stand on Coburg Road, detailed in Appendix B, were approved. This revision involved extending the proposed bus stand from 12 metres to 23 metres following a request from TfL to accommodate two buses simultaneously. This extension did not result in any net loss of parking provision.

The council decided not to hold a public inquiry, deeming it unnecessary and likely to cause expense and delay without altering the ultimate decision. The decision aligns with the Council's Transport Strategy (2018), which aims to connect communities and manage growth impacts by prioritising sustainable transport choices, leading to safer and less congested highways. The cost of implementing these changes was £30,000, to be met from the Housing Department budget.

The proposals were considered to contribute to the Corporate Delivery Plan's high-level strategic outcomes, including a positive resident experience, responding to the climate emergency, and placemaking. They also support the Mayor of London's Transport Strategy and the Council's own Transport Strategy, aiming for improved air quality, reduced congestion, and increased use of public transport.

Concerns were raised by residents regarding the loss of parking spaces, increased traffic, noise, and air pollution, particularly along Mary Neuner Road, Coburg Road, Western Road, and Clarendon Road. Several objections highlighted the impact on vulnerable residents, families with young children, and key workers. The Haringey Cycling Campaign supported the bus route extension but requested consideration for cycle route provision and clarification on the temporary nature of the Route 232 bus stop on Mayes Road.

Councillor Iozzi considered all feedback, including objections, and approved the implementation of the revised proposals. The decision authorises the Head of Highways and Traffic to make the necessary traffic management orders and undertake the required highway infrastructure works.