The officer in charge of all above-ground London transport will speak at to Barnes residents tomorrow (March 18) after rejecting calls to extend the 22 bus route to the Wetland Centre.

Leon Daniels, managing director of surface transport for TfL, has already told community groups he does not believe there is enough demand to justify extending the route.

Mr Daniels, who is responsible for all buses, taxis, river services, the road network, congestion charging and Santander Cycles, has said it would also be expensive and cause disruption to existing services.

The 22 bus currently runs from Piccadilly Circus in to Putney via Knightsbridge, Sloane Square, Kings Road, Parsons Green and Fulham.

Barnes town centre manager Emma Robinson has lobbied TfL to extend the route, and a petition has already attracted 3,300 signatures.

Ward councillors Christine Percival and Paul Hodgins – as well as former Richmond Park MP Zac Goldsmith – have endorsed Mrs Robinson’s campaign, as has the Wetland Centre.

They say would help less-mobile visitors to the tourist attraction, which currently greets 200,000 visitors each year, as well as Barnes residents.

While disappointed by Mr Daniels’ decision, Ms Robinson believes his visit means he will announce “something positive” to residents.

She said: “Although Leon Daniels has told the 22 bus team very clearly that he will not bring the 22 bus to Barnes, I hope that the fact that he is coming to our public meeting on a Saturday means that he is going to announce something positive such as a new east-west bus route out of Barnes, particularly when Hammersmith Bridge is closed.

“I’m sure someone as senior as Leon Daniels wouldn’t come to Barnes without something to offer to the 3,300 residents who support our campaign.”

The public meeting, chaired by Gyles Brandreth, will take place between 2.30pm and 4pm at Kitson Hall, in Kitson Road. All residents are welcome.