1. What would you like the Union to do?
While Marshgate and One Pool Street currently suffer from a lack of transportation options, students and staff based in UCL at Here East enjoy an electric shuttle bus service to/from Stratford and Stratford International stations.
I propose that Students’ Union UCL may consider lobbying UCL to negotiate a deal with Here East to fund the amendment of the (currently underused) shuttle bus route to better serve UCL East students and residents, and enhance the relationship between the two main campuses.
An extension of the shuttle bus route at the Stratford end towards the roundabout on Montfichet Road outside the cycle store of One Pool Street will provide a direct, step-free, link to/from Stratford Station for onward connections, and Stratford International Station for the 7-minute rail link to Bloomsbury. As it is entirely self-catered, One Pool Street residents may also find this service helpful to connect them with a choice of supermarkets and grocery stores near the station and Westfield shopping mall. This will not delay the commutes of most regular Here East shuttle users.
This policy would be more environmentally friendly than any new shuttle bus route, as it reuses existing resources, with mostly electric vehicles. Other London universities and colleges currently offering shuttle bus services to students include: Imperial College London, University of Greenwich, Royal Holloway College, University of Roehampton, University of West London, University of East London. Notably, Loughborough University London, Teesside University London, and Staffordshire University London students and staff use the Here East services too. The shuttle bus service operated by University of East London, also in Stratford, is 0.6 times the distance between Stratford Station and One Pool Street.
Note that this policy will likely involve a lengthy period of approval from the London Borough of Newham.
2. Why would you like to do this?
After the UCL East Officer’s campaigning, a feedback survey was circulated. When faced with the question “How would you improve the quality of life of studying and living in UCL East”, the most popular suggestion was the implementation of a shuttle bus service. According to Google Maps, the walking time between Stratford Station and Marshgate is 15-20 minutes (the more popular route, via the Aquatic Centre steps, takes 19 minutes). This would be up to a 40-minutes round trip walk for a One Pool Street (1PS) resident studying at Bloomsbury Campus every single day.
According to crimerate.co.uk, the London Borough of Newham has the second highest crime rate in London. 1PS residents would greatly benefit from a more safe way to get to/from Stratford Station.
1PS is an entirely self-catered accommodation. There are currently no supermarkets nearby the accommodation. Residents are required to carry shopping from supermarkets, as they do not have catering in halls. This change will encourage them to purchase more sustainably and reduce food waste. Furthermore, popular use of the HereEast Shuttle Bus will contribute to making a more efficient carbon footprint (more people transported per round trip), further promoting sustainability which also aligns with the goals of HereEast.
3. How will this affect students?
This will mostly affect students studying at UCL East, or One Pool Street (1PS) residents. Students studying at Bloomsbury may take less advantage of this change. However, if the East Campus can be made more attractive to Clubs, Societies, and Networks by this change, more events may be held at East Campus. This would allow more Bloomsbury students to make use of the brand new facilities at East Campus.
During exam season, if more Bloomsbury students head to the East Campus in search of study spaces, it will allow those who cannot travel to the East Campus (for whatever reason) to have easier access to study spaces in Bloomsbury.
In conclusion, UCL East students and Bloomsbury students alike will undoubtedly be able to take advantage of this change. A shuttle bus service will provide easier access between the two campuses, resulting in more Clubs, Societies, and Networks hosting events in the East campus. This will improve overall student wellbeing in UCL East and improve inclusivity. This will induce an “East Shift” - improved connection and accessibility between the two campuses will encourage students to make the most of both areas and encourage UCL activities to move away from the over-saturated Bloomsbury Campus.