Huge Response to St Paul's Cray Bus Petition

12.17.05pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 6th Apr 2004

Simon Hughes MP has given his backing to the 'Give Us A Bus' Campaign to geta direct bus from St Paul's Cray to the Princess Royal University Hospital

A petition to extend the R11 bus route to link three hospitals via St Paul's Cray is gaining massive support. The campaign was launched by local Liberal Democrats, who want a direct bus service from St Paul's Cray to the new Princess Royal Hospital

The campaigners, who include local resident Mike Bignell, have enlisted the support of London Assembly Transport Chair, Lynne Featherstone and London Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes.

Simon Hughes met local residents who told him that a present they needed to change buses, paying for two fares to get to the new Hospital. "This makes the journey very difficult for elderly residents who are visiting relatives or attending out patients." said Mr Hughes.

"We've been amazed by the response," said Mike Bignell, "we have several hundred signatures and more are flooding daily."

"When the new hospital was planned we were told bus services would be redirected," said Mr Bignell, "the hospital has been open for a year and the residents of St Paul's Cray are still waiting. We are determined to get a new service introduced."

Transport for London have been requested to investigate an extension to the R11 service. It could link Queen Mary's Hospital, Orpington and the PRU they give the go ahead.