Camden New Journal - Letters: 393

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Camden New Journal - Letters to the Editor
Published: 22 November 2007

The 393 bus route gave me a real feeling of liberation

• I SEE that the campaign against the 393 bus in Leighton Road continues with some hope of success (Opposition to bus route will be a long haul, November 15).
I do hope it fails.
With the 390 for central London journeys and now the 393 for east-west journeys, I feel well-served.
If only we had had these services when I was lugging heavy shopping and little children around. But now I am old, I find my mobility is much enhanced by these buses.
Just about the time the 393 began going along Leighton Road, the cat needed attention; in the midst of trying to enlist help in the carrying, I realised I could go by bus. What a relief! I felt liberated.
But while not feeling the guilt some of my Leighton Road neighbours feel towards the protesters, which sometimes puts them off using the 393, I have tried to understand the puzzlingly passionate objections to it.
On at least three occasions, I have been on the bus to find standing room only.
I look at the passengers as it passes my window – usually about half a dozen in the middle of the day and more are using it as it becomes known.
Only Transport for London can decide if usage justifies the route, but to me it seems as well used as many outside central London.
The junction with Torriano Avenue, very near my home, is difficult but there is rarely trouble for the bus, certainly not compared with some of the lorries passing through it.
The traffic jam at the bottom of Leighton Road rarely reaches beyond the railway wall, so does not invade anyone’s privacy.
Anyway, most of the vehicles are private cars.
If more of the car-users transferred to public transport, the problem would lessen.
Despite the aggression I experienced from a protester petitioning me and the vociferous campaign I shall continue to hold my head up high at the Leighton Road bus stops and revel in the freedom this route has brought me.
GILL KAFFISH
Leighton Road, NW5

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, Camden New Journal, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@camdennewjournal.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Tuesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld. Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

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