And what about the poor pedestrians? Oh, they became gladiators. With the buses gone from West End Lane, the foot traffic went feral. People started walking in the road, arguing with drivers, and doing that slow, aggressive power-walk that says “I have a train to catch and I will hurt you.” I saw a woman push a pram into oncoming traffic because the pavement was blocked by a guy taking a phone call about his “incredible new sourdough recipe.” Priorities, people.
One of the wildest surprises? During the closure, the bus stop outside the station became a de facto nightclub. Without buses pulling up, people just stood there, vaping, chatting, and blocking the zebra crossing. It was like Glastonbury, but with worse music and more mayonnaise stains. I’m convinced a small business was started selling overpriced flat whites from a rucksack.
Local Businesses: Hangry and Horny for Customers
The cafes and shops along the diverted route weren’t thrilled, either. A barista at the corner café told me her morning coffee sales dropped by 30%. “People used to grab a latte before the bus,” she said. “Now they just run past screaming.” One bakery started selling “Diversion Doughnuts” as a joke. They were stale, which somehow felt thematically appropriate.
WestHampsteadStation « The Anonymous Widower
But here’s the twist: the closure actually forced some people to walk. Gasp! I know, walking in London is practically a radical act. A few locals discovered shops they’d never seen in 15 years. There’s a place that sells vintage typewriters and pickled eggs. It’s terrifying, but it’s new. One man told me he found a shortcut that shaved three minutes off his walk to the Tube. He now carries a compass and refers to himself as “Captain Discovery.”
