Safety feared after 10 bus accidents of Catford Road in 2025

Ruby Gregory

Local democracy reporting service

Catford residents reported “hit-end-run” incidents with buses after leaving their cars with “suspected red paint marks”.

Safer Sandhurst and Sangley is a dark colored car killed on the front. There is debris on the ground including red debris. — Catford residents reported “hit-end-run” incidents with buses after leaving their cars with “suspected red paint marks”.

Residents living on a road in South London have seen 10 accidents related to buses in seven months, calling for immediate safety measures because they are afraid that someone may be killed.

Around 3,700 buses pass through Sandharst Road and nearby Sangle Road in Catford each day, with 150 to 180 buses, which serve the area in one hour, data shows.

The campaign group safe Sandharst and Sangle said that many residents had reported the “hit-end” events, as their cars were released with “suspected red paint marks”.

Transport for London (TFL) said that from July 2021, there were 85 accidents in buses on two roads, many of which were “minor incidents”. It only said, in September 2022, an injury was involved.

Alison Howard, who lives on Sandharst Road, told the local democracy reporting service (LDRS), “We are just worried that someone is being killed at some point as these buses are being killed due to the number of conflicts in these buses.”

LDRS understands that TFL watched the options for the alternative route for two roads, but these would be a result of a significant deterioration of bus services for the “large number” of passengers in the wider area.

A spokesman for the Levishm Council said that they were working closely with the residents to resolve the issues and recognized their frustration.

He said: “The council is not responsible for the route and speed of buses, but we have gone through residents concerns for TFL.

“We are in the process of introducing new measures (planters and street furniture) to calm traffic and prevent incompatible parking.”

‘Appropriate action’

Philip Garhart, head of TFL’s bus performance, said: “We are fully committed to ensure the safety of all customers and residents.

“We just continue to work with operators to ensure that appropriate action is taken against any driver who breaks the speed limit.”

He said: “With the operator StageCoch, we are happy to support the Levish Council with any future proposal for Sandharst Road and continue to detect long -term options.”