London’s new mobility plan reigniting debate over Bus Rapid Transit and widening Wonderland Road

A solution to London’s worsening traffic problems might lie in a series of maps created by city engineers for inclusion in the Mobility Master Plan.

However, Councillor Corrine Rahman who represents northwest London is already expressing doubt about a proposal to alleviate the bottleneck along Wonderland Road by adding a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route over 10 years from now.

“What I’m hearing from residents is that they'd like to see (traffic) lane expansions, so that is something that we need to have a conversation about,” Rahman told CTV News after chairing the Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee.

With London predicted to exceed 700,000 residents by 2050, city engineers have spent two-and-a-half years developing a Mobility Master Plan (MMP) that aims to ensure people and goods move smoothly throughout the city.

The final phase of developing the MMP seeks public feedback about a series of maps that show where and when improvements will be made over the next 25 years to roads, transit, cycling routes, and sidewalks.

The maps recommend mobility improvements in every corner of the city, but with a clear emphasis on serving the future needs in fast-growing areas in north and west London.

Three new bus-only lanes would serve parts of the city left out of the system being installed.

Specifically, a BRT route would be constructed (before 2035) along Wharncliffe/Western Road between Riverside Drive and Fanshawe Park Road to serve Western University.

New traffic signal lights allow an LTC bus to make a left turn from the outside lane, seen on Nov. 26, 2024, (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)

Less than a decade ago, city staff rejected the Wharncliffe/Western option in favour of a proposed BRT route on Richmond Street - but the proposal that ultimately rejected by city council in early 2019.

A second BRT route is proposed to run east-west along Oxford Street from Highbury to Wonderland.

The third route would travel along Wonderland between Southdale and Fanshawe Park Road.

The MMP considers the Wonderland BRT a medium-term project (2036 to 2045), and the only significant road capacity improvements along Wonderland in the vicinity of Oxford Street.

Rahman believes adding BRT to Wonderland without other improvements might be insufficient to address current and future travel demand after council recently gave planning permission for several highrise residential developments in the area.

“Since I got elected, I've heard from residents that they want to see some relief on Wonderland Road - I don't think the BRT-only (plan) is going to cut it,” she explained.

The MMP has been developed in collaboration with the London Transit Commission (LTC), London Middlesex Health Unit (MLHU) and community feedback prioritizing safety, affordability, and the well-being of all Londoners.

A series of public meetings will be held next month across London:

• January 8, South London Community Centre (6 p.m. - 8 p.m.)
• January 9, East Lions Community Centre (6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• January 15, Northbrae Public School (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)
• January 16 Cherryhill Village Mall (6 p.m. – 8 p.m.)

“This is the stage that people really need to get involved,” urged Rahman. “They need their voices heard because if not, these decisions will have long-lasting impact.”

Public feedback will be incorporated into a report about the Mobility Network going to a council committee in Spring 2025.

Maps can also be viewed at london.ca/mobility.

Feedback can be provided until January 31.