Concerns about a bus route which gets "so packed" at school times that children are having "to wait ages to get home" have sparked a survey.

Transport for London (TfL) has said it is "reviewing concerns made about capacity" on the 499 bus service - which runs from Gallows Corner in Romford to Stansgate Road in Dagenham.

This comes after Harold Hill residents got in touch with MP for Hornchurch and Upminster Julia Lopez, sharing their "poor experience" of the 499.

Ms Lopez flagged these issues with TfL, including the experience of one resident who said her grandchild is "regularly unable to board" the bus when travelling to school due to "overcrowding".

The Conservative MP told this paper: "Residents have been in touch to share their poor experience of the 499, which is so packed at school times that local kids are now having to wait ages to get home.

"I flagged these problems to Transport for London, and I'm really pleased that they have committed to survey the route."

RELATED NEWS: TfL: Romford, Upminster 347 bus route 'still under review'

Ms Lopez added that she hoped "a big local campaign" on this bus route would "finally get some cut through in City Hall".

She said: "The mayor told us that he would improve bus services in outer London after bringing in the hated ULEZ expansion.

"Instead he has excluded Havering from the Superloop and failed to provide frequent enough buses on key routes."

However, a spokesperson for the Mayor of London said Sadiq Khan has done "everything in his powers" to protect bus services in outer London, adding that TfL "continuously review and make changes to the bus network" in response to "changing needs".

TfL said they will share feedback on the 499 route in "due course", after they have reviewed concerns made about its capacity.

In the meantime, Ms Lopez urged residents to give their feedback and share their own experiences of the 499 bus route, or other routes, by getting in touch with her office.