Minkies and the Chamberlayne Road bus stop consultation

Brent Council intends to reorganise the bus stops on Chamberlayne Road, adding a new lay-by just outside the Minkis deli and directing buses up to their rather than having them stop outside Tescos on Station Terrace.
The consultation ends on Friday 5 February. Tomorrow in fact.

Raised as a soapbox item by Ruth Dar of the Aylestone Park Residents' And Tenants' Association at the last Area Consultation Forum, the consultation itself is incomplete.

• There is no detail on which buses will initially be using the new lay-by. 

• There is little indication of the likely effect on traffic flow on Chamberlayne Road itself. 

• Two very old trees will be cut down and replaced

• The consultation document mentions better access for the disabled, however it neglects to mention how this will be achieved (it being rather difficult to increase accessibility by moving a bus stop from a lower level stop to a slope on top of a humped bridge). 

• Minkies Deli, which will be right outside the new bus-stop will benefit from increased footfall no-doubt, however its fledgling Saturday farmer's market and outdoor area will probably suffer from the decreased pavement space and increased noise from the stopping buses. As a well loved local business and a key part of the continuing improvement of the Chamberlayne Road shops area it deserves to be better treated than this.

• Only Chamberlayne Road businesses and residents in the immediate area were consulted on the plans, which will significantly alter one of the few hubs of retail space in the Brondesbury Park area. 

There is a petition opposing the plans being gathered at Minkies Deli. I urge you to sign it. This plan needs more attention and a longer and wider consultation process.