A much maligned bus service is to be reviewed by transport officials following pressure from disgruntled householders.

Transport for London (TfL) has agreed to review its current arrangements for the troubled H26 bus service following three years of persistent campaigning from residents of Feltham's Grosvenor Park estate and councillors.

Bus drivers have clashed with motorists in both Guildford and Rochester Avenues on several occasions, while a burning car was pushed into a bus's path in one of the more serious incidents. After some minor knocks to parked vehicles, a H26 bus also careered into a family saloon and crushed a re-conditioned Triumph motorcycle.

The review, which began earlier this month, is being carried out jointly by TfL and Hounslow Council and aims to examine the possibility of re-routing the bus through other roads in and around the estate, instead of its current course along Rochester and Guildford avenues.

It will also look into the possibility of revising the buses' 19-hour service, with six buses an hour running from 4.30am till 12am.

Pat Hickey, a Guildford Avenue campaigner remained sceptical, however, and said: "We still don't understand why a residential estate has a bus operating more frequently and for longer than any other bus in the area.

"If there are going to be changes, we want to know if there is going to be a consultation to go with it."

The findings of the review are expected to be published early next year.

December 19, 2001 11:30