London Buses route 31
Encyclopedia
London Buses route 31 is a Transport for London
contracted bus route in London
, United Kingdom
. The service is currently contracted to First Centrewest
.
(Stanley Arms) and South Hampstead
(North Star) via Edith Grove, Earls Court Road, Kensington High Street
, Notting Hill Gate
, Great Western Road, Walterton Road and Belsize Road, replacing Horse Bus service 36
which also ran between Chelsea and Finchley Road.
Three months later, on 7 December 1911 it was further extended to Finchley Road Station
. As from 31 October 1912, it was re-routed at Belsize Road to run to Gospel Oak
(Mansfield Hotel) via Eton Avenue, Englands Lane and Parkhill Avenue instead of to FInchley Road. This extension did not last long and in December 1912 the 31 was curtailed to run daily Chelsea - South Hampstead (Swiss Cottage
).
On 15 May 1916 the 31 It was extended daily from Swiss Cottage to Tulse Hill
(Tulse Hill Tavern) via Adelaide Road, Camden Town
, Eversholt Street, Russell Square
, Southampton Row, Kingsway
, Aldwych
, Waterloo Bridge
, Elephant & Castle, Camberwell Green
, Denmark Hill
and Herne Hill
replacing route 68
which was withdrawn on the same day. The operation of this long "Horsehoe" shaped route between Chelsea - Camden Town - Tulse Hill lasted for one year, the 31 being withdrawn between Camden Town and Tulse Hill after service on 29 April 1917, with the 68 re-introduced.
The Sunday service was converted to one-person operation from 21 November 1987, with the route being converted daily from 15 April 1989; it was also converted to minibus operation, with frequencies increased to compensate. These were quickly found to be too small, and were replaced with Dennis Dart
s three years later. On 29 May 1999, the route was withdrawn between Notting Hill Gate and Chelsea and replaced by new route 328
. Double-deck operation was reintroduced with low-floor Volvo B7TL
s in 2004; there was no reduction in frequency.
On 2 December 2006 the route was extended to Shepherd's Bush Green in preparation for the Western Extension of the Congestion Charge. In conjunction with this extension, the Notting Hill Gate
stop was moved from the south end of Pembridge Road into Notting Hill Gate itself, which relieved congestion at the bus stop previously shared with routes 27, 28 and 328.
On 29 November 2008, the route was diverted at Shepherd's Bush Green via the Westfield Complex
to serve the new White City Bus Station.
Although the 31 was extended in connection with the Western extension of the congestion charging zone, TfL has kept the route in the same form since the Western extension was removed. However TfL has also committed to a review of bus services, including those in the Western extension zone.
There were also in London :-
documentary, To the World's End: Scenes and Characters on a London Bus Route.
Transport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
contracted bus route in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The service is currently contracted to First Centrewest
First London
.First London is one of many operators of London Buses and owned by First Group. They did also run the Tramlink network, in a partnership with Tramtrack Croydon before June 2008. Their registered office is at Paddington station in London...
.
History
Today's 31 route commenced operation on 7 September 1911 as a daily route between ChelseaChelsea, London
Chelsea is an area of West London, England, bounded to the south by the River Thames, where its frontage runs from Chelsea Bridge along the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk, Lots Road and Chelsea Harbour. Its eastern boundary was once defined by the River Westbourne, which is now in a pipe above...
(Stanley Arms) and South Hampstead
Hampstead
Hampstead is an area of London, England, north-west of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Camden in Inner London, it is known for its intellectual, liberal, artistic, musical and literary associations and for Hampstead Heath, a large, hilly expanse of parkland...
(North Star) via Edith Grove, Earls Court Road, Kensington High Street
Kensington High Street
Kensington High Street is the main shopping street in Kensington, west London. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
, Notting Hill Gate
Notting Hill Gate
Notting Hill Gate is one of the main thoroughfares of Notting Hill, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Historically the street was a location for toll gates, from which it derives its modern name.- Location :...
, Great Western Road, Walterton Road and Belsize Road, replacing Horse Bus service 36
London Buses route 36
London Buses route 36 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Go-Ahead London.-The Beginning:...
which also ran between Chelsea and Finchley Road.
Three months later, on 7 December 1911 it was further extended to Finchley Road Station
Finchley Road tube station
Finchley Road tube station is a London Underground station at the corner of Finchley Road and Canfield Gardens in the London Borough of Camden, North London. It is on the Jubilee Line, between West Hampstead and Swiss Cottage and on the Metropolitan Line between Baker Street and Wembley Park. It is...
. As from 31 October 1912, it was re-routed at Belsize Road to run to Gospel Oak
Gospel Oak
Gospel Oak is an inner urban area of north London in the London Borough of Camden below Hampstead Heath. It is bordered by the more affluent areas of Belsize Park to the west, Kentish Town to the south, Eastern Hampstead to the North and Dartmouth Park and Tufnell Park to the east...
(Mansfield Hotel) via Eton Avenue, Englands Lane and Parkhill Avenue instead of to FInchley Road. This extension did not last long and in December 1912 the 31 was curtailed to run daily Chelsea - South Hampstead (Swiss Cottage
Swiss Cottage
Swiss Cottage is a district of the London Borough of Camden in London, England. Thedistrict is located north-west of Charing Cross. It is centred on the junction of Avenue Road and Finchley Road and is the location of Swiss Cottage tube station.-Etymology:...
).
On 15 May 1916 the 31 It was extended daily from Swiss Cottage to Tulse Hill
Tulse Hill
Tulse Hill is a district in the London Borough of Lambeth in South London, England. It lies to the south of Brixton, east of Brixton Hill, north of West Norwood and west of West Dulwich.-History:...
(Tulse Hill Tavern) via Adelaide Road, Camden Town
Camden Town
-Economy:In recent years, entertainment-related businesses and a Holiday Inn have moved into the area. A number of retail and food chain outlets have replaced independent shops driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants have thrived, with the variety of culinary traditions found in...
, Eversholt Street, Russell Square
Russell Square
Russell Square is a large garden square in Bloomsbury, in the London Borough of Camden. It is near the University of London's main buildings and the British Museum. To the north is Woburn Place and to the south-east is Southampton Row...
, Southampton Row, Kingsway
Kingsway
-Canada:*Burnaby—Kingsway, a federal electoral district in British Columbia between 1988 and 1997*Kingsway , a road in Edmonton, Alberta *Kingsway , a road in Vancouver, British Columbia...
, Aldwych
Aldwych
Aldwych is a place and road in the City of Westminster in London, England.-Description:Aldwych, the road, is a crescent, connected to the Strand at both ends. At its centre, it meets the Kingsway...
, Waterloo Bridge
Waterloo Bridge
Waterloo Bridge is a road and foot traffic bridge crossing the River Thames in London, England between Blackfriars Bridge and Hungerford Bridge. The name of the bridge is in memory of the British victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815...
, Elephant & Castle, Camberwell Green
Camberwell Green
Camberwell Green is a small area of common land in Camberwell, South London. It lies at the intersection of Camberwell Road and Camberwell New Road/Camberwell Church Street. At the North-East of the green is Camberwell Magistrate's Court, and at the North West is a home for the elderly...
, Denmark Hill
Denmark Hill
Denmark Hill is an area and road in the London Borough of Southwark. The road forms part of the A215; north of Camberwell Green it becomes Camberwell Road; south of Red Post Hill it becomes Herne Hill. Its postcode is SE5. Nearby streets whose names refer to different aspects of the same...
and Herne Hill
Herne Hill
Herne Hill is located in the London Borough of Lambeth and the London Borough of Southwark in Greater London. There is a road of the same name which continues the A215 north of Norwood Road and was called Herne Hill Road.-History:...
replacing route 68
London Buses route 68
London Buses route 68 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to Go-Ahead London.-History:...
which was withdrawn on the same day. The operation of this long "Horsehoe" shaped route between Chelsea - Camden Town - Tulse Hill lasted for one year, the 31 being withdrawn between Camden Town and Tulse Hill after service on 29 April 1917, with the 68 re-introduced.
The Sunday service was converted to one-person operation from 21 November 1987, with the route being converted daily from 15 April 1989; it was also converted to minibus operation, with frequencies increased to compensate. These were quickly found to be too small, and were replaced with Dennis Dart
Dennis Dart
The Dennis Dart is a rear-engined midibus built by Dennis in the United Kingdom. More than 11,000 were built during 18 years of production....
s three years later. On 29 May 1999, the route was withdrawn between Notting Hill Gate and Chelsea and replaced by new route 328
London Buses route 328
London Buses route 328 is a Transport for London contracted bus route in London, United Kingdom. The service is currently contracted to First Centrewest.-History:...
. Double-deck operation was reintroduced with low-floor Volvo B7TL
Volvo B7TL
Volvo B7TL is a low-floor double-decker bus which was launched in 1999 and replaced the 2-axle version of Volvo Olympian...
s in 2004; there was no reduction in frequency.
On 2 December 2006 the route was extended to Shepherd's Bush Green in preparation for the Western Extension of the Congestion Charge. In conjunction with this extension, the Notting Hill Gate
Notting Hill Gate
Notting Hill Gate is one of the main thoroughfares of Notting Hill, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Historically the street was a location for toll gates, from which it derives its modern name.- Location :...
stop was moved from the south end of Pembridge Road into Notting Hill Gate itself, which relieved congestion at the bus stop previously shared with routes 27, 28 and 328.
On 29 November 2008, the route was diverted at Shepherd's Bush Green via the Westfield Complex
Westfield London
Westfield London is a shopping centre in White City in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The centre was developed by the Westfield Group at a cost of £1.6bn,...
to serve the new White City Bus Station.
Although the 31 was extended in connection with the Western extension of the congestion charging zone, TfL has kept the route in the same form since the Western extension was removed. However TfL has also committed to a review of bus services, including those in the Western extension zone.
Current route
- White CityWestfield LondonWestfield London is a shopping centre in White City in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The centre was developed by the Westfield Group at a cost of £1.6bn,...
Bus Station - Shepherd's Bush StationsShepherd's Bush stationsShepherd's Bush is an area of west London, United Kingdom, which has been served by a number of London Underground and commuter rail stations over past 150 years, many of which have had similar names...
- Holland Park StationHolland Park tube stationHolland Park is a London Underground station. On the Central Line, it lies between Shepherd's Bush and Notting Hill Gate stations, in Travelcard Zone 2.-History:...
- Notting Hill Gate StationNotting Hill Gate tube stationNotting Hill Gate tube station is a London Underground station in the street known as Notting Hill Gate. On the Central Line, it is between Holland Park to the west and Queensway to the east. On the District Line and Circle Line it is between High Street Kensington and Bayswater stations...
- Westbourne Park StationWestbourne Park tube stationWestbourne Park is a London Underground station on the Circle and Hammersmith and City lines, between Ladbroke Grove and Royal Oak stations, and in Travelcard Zone 2 in The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea . Although the Metropolitan Railway had been extended to Notting Hill and Hammersmith...
- Maida Hill The Chippenham
- Kilburn Park StationKilburn Park tube stationKilburn Park tube station is a London Underground station at Kilburn in the London Borough of Brent. The station is on the Bakerloo Line, between Queen's Park and Maida Vale stations, and is in Travelcard Zone 2....
- Kilburn High Road StationKilburn High Road railway stationKilburn High Road railway station is a London Overground station situated near the south end of the Kilburn High Road, London NW6 in the London Borough of Camden.-History:...
- South Hampstead StationSouth Hampstead railway stationSouth Hampstead railway station is on Loudoun Road in the London Borough of Camden. It is about 500 metres south west of Swiss Cottage tube station. It opened in 1879 as "Loudon Road station" and acquired its present name in 1922. Two platforms on the Euston to Watford DC Line remain; those on the...
- Swiss Cottage StationSwiss Cottage tube stationSwiss Cottage tube station is a London Underground station at Swiss Cottage. It is on the Jubilee Line, between and . It is in Travelcard Zone 2 and on the Finchley Road.-History:...
- Chalk Farm StationChalk Farm tube stationChalk Farm tube station is a London Underground station near Camden Town in London. The station is on the Edgware branch of the Northern line, between Camden Town and Belsize Park stations, and in Travelcard Zone 2. The station stands at the junction of Chalk Farm Road/Haverstock Hill and Adelaide...
- Camden Town StationCamden Town tube stationCamden Town tube station is a major junction on the Northern Line and one of the busiest stations on the London Underground network...
Bayham Street
Previous route 31s in London
This has been the only route to carry the number 31 on a motor-bus route in London.There were also in London :-
- Between 1913 - 1923 a Palmers GreenPalmers GreenPalmers Green is a place in the London Borough of Enfield. It is a suburban area situated 7.6 miles north of Charing Cross. Postally, it is in London N13...
Euston Road Euston RoadEuston Road is an important thoroughfare in central London, England, and forms part of the A501. It is part of the New Road from Paddington to Islington, and was opened as part of the New Road in 1756...
(Hampstead Road) M.E.T. Tram route 31Metropolitan Electric TramwaysThe Metropolitan Electric Tramways Company Limited operated electric tram services in suburban areas of Middlesex and Hertfordshire from 1904 to 1933, when its services passed to the London Passenger Transport Board....
. - Between 1931 - 1950 a WandsworthWandsworthWandsworth is a district of south London, England, in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated southwest of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Toponymy:...
*,Hackney Hackney CentralHackney Central is the central district of the London Borough of Hackney in London, England. It comprises the area roughly surrounding, and extending north from Mare Street. It is situated north east of Charing Cross...
*, Angel, Islington*, LeytonLeytonLeyton is an area of north-east London and part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest, located north east of Charing Cross. It borders Walthamstow and Leytonstone; Stratford in Newham; and Homerton and Lower Clapton in the London Borough of Hackney....
* L.C.C.(until 1933) Tram route 31London County Council TramwaysThe London County Council Tramways was an extensive network of public street tramways that was operated by the council throughout the County of London, UK, from 1899 to 1933, when they were taken over by the London Passenger Transport Board....
. * Termini varied
In popular culture
The route was featured in a 1985 BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
documentary, To the World's End: Scenes and Characters on a London Bus Route.