PASSENGERS using an important bus route are facing delays and unreliable services due to congestion outside the borough, according to the council.

The W12 bus runs through parts of Wanstead and South Woodford, and is often delayed because of traffic in the Walthamstow section of the route.

Members of Redbridge Council's Public Transport Liaison Group (PTLG) will discuss problems with the service at a meeting next Tuesday (July 27).

Passengers who rely on the route say that it has been unreliable for some time and on too many occasions the service is curtailed at South Woodford, meaning they have to get off and wait for another bus to come along before they can finish their journey.

Brian Tucker, 70, from Hermon Hill in Wanstead said: “It's a good route, I use it to go shopping in Walthamstow sometimes, but it can be very hit-and-miss about when it's going to turn up.

“Sometimes I have got on at Walthamstow and it's stopped at South Woodford, and I've had to walk the rest of the way, which is not as easy as it used to be for me.”

John Marchman, 18, of Northumberland Avenue, said: “I get the bus to get around to see my mates, and sometimes it's fine but if you try and travel through here in rush hour then it can be a real pain sometimes.

“I'm learning to drive and I can't wait until I pass so I don't have to rely on buses any more.”

Mary Purkiss, 43, is from Bethnal Green and uses the bus when visiting friends and family in Wanstead.

She said: “If it's getting held up in Walthamstow then the councils should talk to one another to figure out what's going on.”

PTLG member Cllr Ashley Kissin said: “We've been aware of the problems with reliability on the route and as far as we can see the problems arise in Walthamstow, which of course is outside Redbridge and is something we have no control over.

“Hopefully officers in our council are talking to officers in Waltham Forest about this and we regularly ask for updates from TfL about the situation.

“We're hoping that at the meeting on Tuesday the we'll have an update on the situation from TfL.”