Eltham High Street is an important shopping centre.

While efforts have been made to underpin it's importance, there seems an automatic assumption its viability depends on the shoppers who come by car.

While it is understood, per visit, a car shopper spends more than a bus shopper, it appears bus shoppers actually make more visits to their local shopping centres per week.

With the ability for more people to use the bus, with the introduction of fully-accessible buses, the potential for more shoppers to come by public transport is now greater than ever.

It is vital bus users are encouraged by the travelling environment to come to Eltham rather than a neighbouring shopping centre.

And yet retailers are still focused on the car.

How often do retailers advertise which buses serve Eltham?

When the town centre plan was published showing local facilities, why were no buses shown? Last Christmas with the seasonal information for the high street, there was no bus information?

Recently there has been a row over a bus stop outside shops in Avery Hill Road.

Such a location for a stop is obvious, giving potential new customers for retailers.

There needs to be a change of attitude and bus users themselves should tell their local councils of their needs to improve the bus environment locally.

R C Clark

Co-ordinator Eltham Public Transport Users Group

New Eltham

November 15, 2001 10:54