Bus Priority Little Heath
Redbridge Council is committed to enhancing bus travel across the borough by improving key locations where reliability, accessibility and journey consistency can be strengthened. These proposals aim to make bus travel more efficient, predictable and convenient for all passengers.
By prioritising buses at important points along the network, the planned changes will help reduce delays, improve travel times and support increased use of public transport. This, in turn, contributes to reduced congestion, lower air pollution and better connectivity across Redbridge.
Across all proposals, the Council has sought to make better use of existing road space while minimising disruption for other road users. The planned changes on Little Heath focus on reorganising the carriageway to support bus operations without removing access for general traffic to the wider road network.
Proposed Changes on Little Heath
EL3 Bus Stand and Bus Stop
The Council proposes to bring the bus stand and bus stop on Little Heath into operation. This will allow the EL3 route terminus to move from its current location outside Hawbush Court to a new position on the south side of Little Heath, adjacent to Atam Academy and New City College.
- The bus stand will operate as the terminus for the EL3 route only.
- Passengers arriving from Barking Riverside will alight here.
- Buses will wait at the stand before beginning their return journey to Barking Riverside.
- The stand will be extended to approximately 36 metres to accommodate up to three buses.
New Alighting Bus Stop
A new bus stop in front of Rowallan House Care Home will serve as the first boarding point for passengers travelling on the EL3 towards Barking Riverside.
It is envisaged that this stop will not be used by any other bus routes.
Other Bus Routes
No changes are proposed to bus stops used by routes 173, 362 and 396 as they operate around Little Heath.
Parking
Permit parking bays at the eastern end of Little Heath will be retained for residents
Proposed One-Way Layout on Little Heath
To support the improved operation of the EL3 bus stand and overall traffic flow, the Council is considering introducing a one-way westbound layout on Little Heath. Two options are being presented for consultation:
Option 1
- Little Heath becomes one-way westbound between Chadwell Heath Lane and the junction with Strouds Close.
- Two-way access to Strouds Close is maintained from Barley Lane.
Option 2
- The entire length of Little Heath between Chadwell Heath Lane and Barley Lane becomes one-way westbound,
- Strouds Close can only be accessed via the one-way system from Chadwell Heath Lane.
Click image to enlarge.
Traffic management order (TMO)
Redbridge Council proposes to progress the scheme through a permanent Traffic Management Order (TMO). A draft of the order is provided under the documents section on this webpage. To access this document please click here.
All responses to the public consultation will also be considered as part of the TMO process.
Should you wish to directly make an objection and/or other representations to the proposed Order, they must be made in writing stating the grounds on which they are made by writing to Bus Priority Team, 2nd Floor (front), Lynton House, 255-259 High Road, Ilford, IG1 1NY, or by email to: buses@redbridge.gov.uk within 21 days from the date of publication of this Notice (27/11/2025).
Have your say
We want all that live, work and visit the area to have their say on our proposed changes. To answer our short survey, please click the survey button below. You have until 11:59 Sunday 21 December 2025 to have your say.
Contact us
If you have any further queries please get in touch:
Email:
Write to us:
Bus Priority Team
Second Floor (Front)
Lynton House
255-259 High Road
Ilford
IG1 1NY
