Residents have until Sunday to respond to TfL’s proposals to split bus route 424, which would leave several Fulham streets without any bus service for the first time in 24 years.
The consultation closes on 11 January 2026. TfL’s own equality impact assessment reveals the agency expects the changes to disproportionately harm elderly, disabled and low-income passengers, but has chosen to proceed anyway.
Nearly 30% of the route’s passengers are elderly Freedom Pass holders. A further 4.8% hold Disabled Person’s Freedom Passes. TfL acknowledges these groups will face longer journeys, difficult interchanges, and reduced confidence travelling, particularly at night.
Despite this, TfL selected “Option 2” in its assessment: “Justify and continue with your work despite negative equality impacts.” The reason given was that TfL “must meet its business plan.”
What’s being proposed
Route 424 currently runs between Putney Heath and Fulham, crossing Putney Bridge. Under the proposals, it would be split into two separate services.
The shortened 424 would run only between Putney Heath and Upper Richmond Road, never crossing the river. A new route 454 would serve Fulham but take a different alignment through the backstreets.
Crucially, several roads would lose bus service entirely. Byam Street, Broughton Road and Pearscroft Road on the Fulham side would no longer have any bus route. Residents there would need to walk to Wandsworth Bridge Road, Bagley’s Lane or Imperial Road to catch alternative services.
TfL calculates that 196 daily trips would be “broken,” forcing passengers to walk further and change buses. The main affected journeys are to Sands End Sainsbury’s, Putney Hill and Putney Station.
The route has served these Fulham backstreets since April 2001, when it replaced the C4 “Fulham Hopper” that ran through the same roads. TfL is now proposing to abandon the streets its predecessor route was specifically designed to serve.
Why TfL says this is necessary
TfL cites congestion on Putney High Street as the primary reason. The agency says reliability problems mean buses cannot keep to schedule, and splitting the route would improve punctuality for remaining passengers.
The current 424 uses older, smaller diesel buses. TfL says the new 454 alignment would allow larger single-deck vehicles.
There is a legitimate operational case here. Ridership has fallen from 1,400 weekday trips in 2019 to 1,054 now, and the route requires significant subsidy. TfL has been in discussions with both Wandsworth and Hammersmith & Fulham councils about the proposals.
However, TfL’s acknowledgment that Putney High Street congestion is severe enough to require removing a bus route sits awkwardly with Wandsworth Council’s claim, made in November, that buses on the corridor are “slightly faster” than in 2021. The council has not responded to questions about this apparent contradiction.
How to make your response count
TfL’s equality impact assessment provides a template for effective responses. The agency is legally required to consider impacts on protected groups under the Equality Act 2010.
Responses that cite specific journey impacts, mention elderly or disabled passengers, or highlight the loss of service to particular streets are more likely to carry weight than general opposition.
If you or someone you know relies on the 424 for hospital appointments, shopping or visiting family, explaining that specific impact gives TfL evidence it must address.
You can respond online at haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/bus-424-putney-fulham, by email to haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk, by phone on 020 3054 6037, or by post to FREEPOST TFL HAVE YOUR SAY.
The consultation closes at midnight on Sunday 11 January.
What TfL said: “We welcome all feedback from customers and encourage everyone to respond to the consultation.”
What the council said: Wandsworth Council did not respond to questions about TfL’s congestion assessment or the apparent contradiction with its own data.
