PASSENGERS are battling against ‘Stalinist’ Transport for London after a bus route extension left them with a ‘diabolical’ service.

Until last August the 320 bus ran between Biggin Hill Valley and Bromley but the route has been extended so it runs to Catford.

This extension is timetabled to take just 18 minutes but Biggin Hill councillor Gordon Norrie says traffic makes it take longer.

And he claims to make up time buses sometimes only go as far as Biggin Hill Airport rather than the final stop of Biggin Hill Valley.

Cllr Norrie has been trying to get answers from TfL but he said: “TfL is a bit Stalinist in its set up and getting a sensible answer is like getting blood from a stone.”

Bus passenger George Foskett, 72, of Highfield Road, Biggin Hill, said: “It's absolutely diabolical and you never know when it is going to arrive.

"We are banging our head against a brick wall.”

And Brian Wingate, 69, of Timbertop Road, Biggin Hill, said: "People from Catford don't want to go to Biggin Hill.

"People were more than happy with the service, why change it?"

TfL admits there were some “teething problems” but says usage of the service is up by 80 per cent since the route was extended.

A spokesman says the changes came after detailed reviews and a consultation period.

Cllr Norrie says he did not believe the consultation was a serious one.

Anyone with complaints about the service should call TfL on 08453 007000 or go to tfl.gov.uk/contact