Bus routes at Elizabeth line station resume after 'ridiculous' three year closure

Three vital bus routes are set to resume service at West Drayton Station this weekend, marking the end of disruption that has frustrated commuters and residents for over a year.

The 222, U1, and U3 services will return to the station forecourt, which is on the Elizabeth line, on Saturday following the completion of major improvement works to address long-standing drainage problems and enhance pedestrian access.

The restoration comes after significant criticism from local residents, who previously described the situation as "ridiculous" and "intolerable." The bus stops had been out of use "on and off" since January 2020, forcing passengers to walk to alternative stops.

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London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon, Bassam Mahfouz, who has been campaigning for the service restoration, said: "After months of dedicated work and significant upgrades, I'm delighted to see buses once again serving West Drayton Station. This marks a huge step forward in improving accessibility and connectivity for local residents and commuters."

The closure had particularly affected night-time travellers and students from nearby Brunel University. Computer science student Sefa Joshua, 20, from Brunel University, previously told MyLondon: "I used to use these buses actually to go to uni. Usually I came out of the station and just join the bus right here straight away - it was really convenient. Now I have to take an extra walk." He also said he was left waiting completely unaware that buses had stopped until he was told by a passerby.

The completed works, which concluded in December 2024, focused on improving the station forecourt's infrastructure to ensure safer and more accessible transport options for the community.

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