Long anticipated plans to extend a single decker bus linking Streatham and Balham shopping districts have run into delays following concerns raised by Wandsworth Council and objections from residents on one road in the area.

Residents will now have to wait even longer while talks with both Lambeth and Wandsworth Council’s are ongoing with Transport for London (TfL) who carried out a consultation throughout both council districts with a large number in favour of the extension of the 255 bus which currently terminates at Streatham Hill Station.

The extension would run along Weir Road and terminate at Balham Station under the plans. Residents on a road in Wandsworth which would also form part of the new route submitted a petition to TFL against the proposals amid safety and loss of parking fears.

TfL are currently in talks with both London Councils to see the find a solution to having the bus route implemented though there is no indication as to when this is likely to be.

In a statement TfL said ‘We are still planning to introduce the service but the scheme has been delayed, however we are working closely with both local authorities to progress the scheme to implementation. Once we can release further information, we will do.’

The new route would run from its current terminus at Streatham along Hydethorpe Road, Radbourne Road, Weir Road and Old Devonshire Road, into Balham High Street and terminate at Balham Station.

With concerns by residents in Wandsworth and the council has stalled the plans which local Lambeth ward councillors campaigned for following appeals by residents particularly in the Lambeth Ward of Thornton which sits in between both shopping areas with practically no transport links immediately close by. Many elderly and disabled residents have told how they are cut off from local town centres due to the lack of accessible public transport.

Weir Estate Residents Association has backed the plans along with a vast number of local residents along the proposed route. TfL published its findings into the plans earlier this year.

Thornton Ward Councillor and Lambeth Cabinet Member for Housing, Lib Peck who had lobbied for the extension spoke of her dismay at the delays “As local Lambeth councillors we are dismayed by the delay to this service. As a borough we have been supportive of the scheme and we hope that Wandsworth will resolve its problems soon so that the bus project can get back on track and a new service can come to Thornton Ward soon.”

The route which has been extensively tested by Transport for London and alterations to traffic flow along the route has already taken place.

Many Weir Estate and local residents had hoped that the bus would be introduced this summer as earlier indications suggested. Following the talks with Lambeth and Wandsworth officials there is no sign of the bus route being extended in the near future and its anticipated will now not be until next year at the earliest.

Wera.org.uk will continue to monitor this story and bring you the latest developments on this story.