SOUTH Kensington residents are fuming after discovering up to 1,000 buses are set trundle down their residential street each day, making their lives a 'traffic nightmare.'
Cromwell Place neighbours have spent thousands of pounds drawing up last-ditch alternative plans following a discovery that seven major bus routes could be re-routed down their tiny road.
The plan has been suggested by Kensington and Chelsea Council as part of its attempts to unravel the one-way system around South Kensington tube.
Barrister Stewart Leech, 46, of Cromwell Place, said: "We have concern about the noise, as some of those buses roar, and air pollution.
"The council is exporting a traffic nightmare to one small street, but there are alternatives.
"The whole street is behind us and we are supported by the parents of the French school, who have safety concerns. "
Mr Leech explained that residents of road were not consulted about the potential plan, which would see a bus stand and and extended stops placed by the street.
He added that at a hastily organised public meeting, held on May 5, a representative from the French consulate – which lies in Cromwell Place - expressed concern about a steady stream of buses going past a politically sensitive location, in light of the London bombings.
On Thursday, a strongly worded letter, accompanied by an alternative proposal which would route buses down Thurloe Place, was handed to the council by residents.
Speaking on Friday, Cllr Nick Paget-Brown admitted that Cromwell Place was not involved in an initial community involvement group.
He said: "It is right to say they weren't consulted and we are taking what they have to say very seriously."
He insisted that the council intended to 'look very carefully' at all options on the table.
A spokesman added that they estimate a maximum of 58 buses would used Cromwell Place each hour.
A key decision to finalise the scheme could be made in a matter of weeks.
