Changes Proposed to Buses Between Hammersmith and East Acton


TfL’s route adjustments include scrapping of number 283

The number 72 will see an increase in regularity.
The number 72 will see an increase in regularity. Picture: TfL/Samuel Letsu

August 1, 2025

Transport for London (TfL) has announced plans to withdraw bus route 283, which currently runs between Hammersmith Bus Station and East Acton. The proposed change is part of a wider set of adjustments to services along the corridor shared with route 72 and night route N72.

Under the proposals, route 72 would be modified to run more frequently replacing much of the current coverage provided by route 283. TfL says this change will streamline operations and better align with current passenger demand, particularly during peak times. Both routes presently operate with single-deck buses and serve key locations including Shepherd’s Bush Green, White City Estate, White City Station, and Hammersmith Hospital.

Cllr Florian Chevoppe-Verdier, Hammersmith & Fulham Cabinet Member for Public Realm, says the council is opposed to the changes because it will reduce services to and from Old Oak – an area not well connected to the rest of the borough and cut off by the Westway. This includes the need for good access to Hammersmith Hospital in Du Cane Road.

The proposal by TfL is to cut the number of buses using Wood Lane. Route 72 would no longer run there, but routes 95, 220 and 272 would continue to serve the road.

If the 72 bus is diverted into a squiggly figure-of-eight route through White City, it will mean longer journey times for passengers travelling from Old Oak Common Lane to Hammersmith.

At peak times the journey time could be 10 minutes longer, although some passengers will probably transfer to routes 95 or 272 to get to Hammersmith more quickly.

TfL calculates that people living or working in the Old Oak and Wulfstan Street area of the borough would be most affected.

TfL is inviting public feedback on the plan, which aims to improve service efficiency while addressing duplication across the two routes.

The six-week consultation is open until Sunday 7 Septemberand includes a short online survey, with additional ways to submit views by email, phone, or post.


A map showing the planned route changes. Picture: TfL

A summary report of the feedback received will be published following the consultation.

For more details or to participate in the consultation, visit TfL’s official consultation page.

 

 

Like Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More

This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism.

Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets.

We’ve always done that and won’t be changing, in fact we’d like to do more.

However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do.

We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area.

A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site.

One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute.

If you do support us in this way we’d be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor.

For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you’d like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site.