Furious man blocks double-decker's route for 20 minutes in row over shut bus stop

A disgruntled man brought traffic to a standstill as he blocked the path of a double-decker in a protest over a shut bus stop.

The angry man is said to have refused to move from in front of the bus for 20 minutes during the row in Putney.

His stand-off with the Route 85 bus caused huge delays and tailbacks on Putney Hill on Monday afternoon, onlookers said.

The passenger was reportedly angry that his regular bus stop had been closed for repair works. Witnesses claimed he was unwilling to walk to the next nearest stop half way up Putney Hill.

The stand-off only came to an end when police arrived after the exasperated driver called emergency services.

Declan Wyatt, who captured the incident on camera, told the Standard: “Rather than walking up to the bus stop, the man decided to stand in road and make sure that the 85 bus stopped at this stop, where it was not meant to.

“The driver refused to let him on, and therefore the man protested by standing in front of the bus so it could not move.

“The driver called the police. Traffic was tailed back to the high street and the junction at the south circular was blocked.”

Mr Wyatt said while most people were not impressed by the man’s actions, one passer-by sided with him, imploring him to "teach TFL a lesson”.

Mr Wyatt added: “A gentleman who was on the bus got off and tried to persuade the man to move. He failed in this attempt.

“He then told the protester that when the police arrive he will be asking for him to be arrested.

“The whole thing went on for about 20 minutes until the police arrived. The bus then drove off and the police sent the protester away.”

The man then walked back to the High Street to get the next bus, Mr Wyatt said.

He added: “I found it quite funny at first, and really thought he would move.

“But as he stood there for longer, it became boring and people started to lose their nerve with him.

“Fair play to him for standing up for himself, but over a bus stop? Really?”

A Met Police spokeswoman confirmed officers were called to the incident.

She said: “The man moved voluntarily and there were no arrests.”