• REGARDING the 168 bus in John Wilson’s letter, (The politics of moving the 168 bus stand is worthy of note, October 1)…

The response is that due to summer months moving away from us fast the continuing Covid-19 devastation to our economy and the need to prevent business closing down, everyone had to act fast and the council understandably could not afford the luxury of extensive consultations.

So it was not a matter of your ward or my ward, as we all have the same village centre called South End Green. Hence the responsible citizens “grasping the opportunity.”

South End Green Association has always fought to improve our green and now, with Covid-19 and pollution being at the top of the agenda, and the streatery, being national government initiative, we must all do our bit and not fall into narrow self-interests.

The 168 is only temporarily homeless because of the streatery initiative. Historically the buses terminate on the cobbled area which can accommodate over six buses, as of now, and more with a little tweaking.

South End Green has always been a bus hub for well over a century. The gated Byron Mews was a tram depot, Fleet Road was full of tramlines with trams, and superseding these South End Green had trolleybuses all over it and up Fleet Road and down Constantine Road.

So be thankful we are all working to please everyone in our community and don’t forget the 168 did plonk itself in the slip road overnight only 20 years ago.

So, please, cut out all the narrow arguments and let’s all work towards a better South End Green with all the buses safely and neatly on the cobbled area, only a minor tweak to the busy road junction, a removal of the pollution, and blight from the slip road, add some pleasant planting in the green and on top of the public toilets.

This will demonstrate a good and unified community spirit.

ROGER GULHANE
Chair, South End Green Association