A row between Transport for London (TfL) and the council has resulted in double yellow lines being painted on a busy road in order to make a popular bus route safe enough to run again.

The route 200 bus, which travels between Lambton Road in Raynes Park and Raleigh Gardens in Mitcham, has been avoiding the Phipps Bridge estate after safety concerns were raised by drivers.

The bus drivers had complained that too many cars park on the bend in Phipps Bridge Road, between Saxonbury Close and Newbury Close, meaning that buses were forced into oncoming traffic and had reduced visibility.

Their concerns for the safety of their passengers and themselves led to TfL creating a diversion so that buses could avoid Phipps Bridge Road, and continue along Church Road instead.

The Tfl website states the route 200 bus would be diverted from 2pm on Tuesday, November 17 until 5pm on Thursday, December 21 due to "safety concerns".

Siobhain McDonagh, MP for Mitcham and Morden, was a part of the meeting that resolved the issue on Friday, November 27.

She said: "It was being disputed by the council, and TfL felt that it wasn’t their problem to sort out. The buses said it was dangerous for them and their drivers and their passengers, and they weren’t going to provide a service anymore.

"Because the cars were parked there it caused problems. Two buses couldn’t pass each other. Lorries would come down and not be willing to reverse.

"There were a number of incidents. No accidents, but enough concern was caused."

She added: "There is some argument between TfL and the council. Apparently they have been arguing since July.

"I don’t care who started it or whose fault it is, I just want it fixed so that kids can go to school and elderly people can do their shopping again. It just needs to be fixed."

The council agreed to paint double yellow lines on the bend to stop drivers parking dangerously, and the lines were painted at the weekend. Buses are expected to begin running again soon.

Merton’s cabinet member for environmental sustainability and regeneration, Councillor Andrew Judge, said: "Some motorists persist in parking too close to the junctions, making it impossible for bus drivers to safely drive down Phipps Bridge Road.

"If people parked more responsibly, there wouldn’t be a problem here so we will be painting yellow lines to deter motorists from parking where they shouldn’t and will enforce as necessary so we should be seeing buses serving the road again soon."

Chris Eleftheriou, TfL’s Regional Bus Operations Manager, said: “We apologise to customers whose journeys were disrupted while the route 200 bus was on temporary diversion. 

"Parked cars on Phipps Bridge Road meant that buses could not turn into the road safely.

"To minimise disruption to customers we set up a temporary bus stop nearby and worked closely with Merton Council, which has now installed double yellow lines on the road. 

"This has stopped cars parking there, blocking the turning, and has allowed buses to resume their normal route."

Were you affected by the bus diversion? Are you affected by the double yellow lines? Contact the newsdesk on 020 8722 6337 or newsdesk@wimbledonguardian.co.uk and let us know.