Bus routes 45, 59 and 118 - proposed changes in south London
We’re proposing to make changes to routes 45, 59 and 118 between Elephant & Castle, Camberwell, Brixton, Clapham Park, Streatham and Morden.
By clicking on each of the buttons below, you can read more about what is proposed and how this may impact you. You can also view maps, ask questions, give feedback, and find out about other ways to get in touch and take part.
You have until Sunday 13 October to give us your feedback.
Proposals
We’re proposing to make changes to routes 45, 59 and 118 between Elephant & Castle, Camberwell, Brixton, Clapham Park, Streatham and Morden. As shown in the map below, the proposal would include a merger of routes 45 and 118, and the 118 would no longer run. The proposals are explained in more detail, route-by-route, further down the page.
Click on the map for a larger version
Route 45
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Route 45 currently operates between Elephant & Castle and Clapham Park/Atkins Road.
We propose to operate the 45 between Denmark Hill/Camberwell Green and Morden.
Its start and end points in Camberwell are expected to be bus stop ‘R’ towards Camberwell Green, and bus stop ‘Q’ towards Denmark Hill. Both bus stops are near Butterfly Walk, and other shopping destinations in the area.
The proposed line of route for the 45 between Brixton Hill and Morden would be the same as current route 118. Route 45 would directly replace route 118.
Therefore, if we were to change route 45 as proposed it would no longer serve:
- Bus stops between Denmark Hill/Camberwell Road and Elephant and Castle
- Streatham Place bus stops ‘BP’ and ‘BQ’
- Atkins Road bus stops ‘H’ and ‘E’ for Clapham Park
- Poynders Road bus stop ‘V’
Bus stops between Brixton Hill and Clapham Park no longer served by route 45 would instead be served by route 59, if it were to change as proposed below.
Route 59
The 59 currently operates between Smithfield, St Bartholomew’s Hospital and Streatham Hill/Telford Avenue.
We propose to operate it between Smithfield, St Bartholomew’s Hospital and Clapham Park/Atkins Road.
The current line of route for the 59, between St Bartholomew’s Hospital and Brixton Hill would remain unchanged.
If we were to change route 59 as proposed it would no longer serve:
- Bus stops between Streatham Hill/Christchurch Road and Streatham Hill/Telford Avenue
Route 59 would instead serve the following stops between Brixton Hill and Clapham Park, directly replacing route 45:
- Streatham Place bus stops ‘BP’ and ‘BQ’
- Atkins Road bus stops ‘H’ and ‘E’ for Clapham Park
- Poynders Road bus stop ‘V’
Bus stops between Streatham Hill - Christchurch Road and Streatham Hill - Telford Avenue no longer served by the 59 would instead be served by route 45, if it were to be changed as proposed above.
Route 118
Click on the map for a larger version
The 118 currently operates between Brixton Road/Police Station and Morden station.
We propose that route 118 would no longer run. It would be replaced in its entirety by changes to route 45, as described above.
This would create one route, the 45 (routes 45 and 118 combined), operating between Morden and Camberwell.
Why?
Why we propose to merge routes 45 and 118 and reroute the 59
More buses are operating than are needed by customers along two key sections of route 45; between Brixton Hill and Streatham, and between Camberwell and Elephant & Castle - and less passengers now use the 45- Combining routes 45 and 118 would simplify the bus network between Streatham, Brixton and Camberwell
- This restructure would create new bus journey opportunities, without the need to change bus, for customers travelling to and from Kings College Hospital and Maudsley Hospital sites in Camberwell from Morden and Streatham
- The rerouting proposed for the 59, supports the changes we would like to make to the 45, by ensuring existing journeys are still possible, with minimal disruption
- Operating a more efficient bus service helps us make financial savings that can be reinvested in other parts of the London bus network, including in areas where there is not enough bus capacity to meet customer needs
Our continual review of the London bus network would include ongoing monitoring of bus routes 45 and 59. Monitoring is designed to ensure there is enough space on buses for customers, and that service levels are maintained.
London’s bus network is our most affordable, accessible, and available form of public transport and offers the main sustainable alternative to cars for those journeys that cannot easily be walked or cycled. It is also London’s most flexible mode of public transport.
Read more about how we are increasing the number of bus journeys by making bus travel better, faster and greener in our Bus action plan.
We continuously review and adapt the bus network to reflect changing customer needs. This includes proposing changes to existing bus routes, so services operate in areas where our customers need them most.
How it impacts you
The main impact we have identified as a result of these proposals would be the need for some passengers to change bus to complete their journey. In other cases, the proposals also remove the need to change bus; for example, for passengers travelling between Morden – Streatham to/from Camberwell, including Kings College Hospital
We want to hear how you think the proposals may impact you, positively or negatively. Please visit the ‘tell us your views’ tab to take part in the consultation survey.
Impact of needing to change bus to complete your bus journey
The following concerns may arise for passengers that need to change bus. This may affect older, younger, and disabled people and passengers with luggage, young children and buggies.
- A longer overall journey time due to the need to change bus
- Concern about the interchange environment (for example, lack of seating and shelter while waiting for the next bus)
- Concern about crowding when joining the bus (for example, less space or less chance of a seat being available)
- Concern at having to change bus at night, in hours of darkness
- Concern journeys would become more expensive if using more than one bus
To help reduce these issues:
- We have identified points along Brixton Hill and in Brixton town centre where interchange between could take place at bus stops in busy locations, with seating, shelter and lighting
- The proposals aim to ensure bus services would meet customer demand, and crowding is not expected as a result
- Brixton Hill and Brixton town centre are busy parts of London that are well lit and are close to housing and businesses. There is also natural surveillance from traffic. This helps create a safer environment for people making late night and early morning journeys
- The ‘Hopper’ bus fare provides the ability to make a second bus journey within 60 minutes of boarding the first, at no additional cost
Equalities Impact Assessment
Our Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) identifies:
- The impact the scheme is having on people, including those with protected characteristics
- How we have attempted to mitigate any negative impacts
After we’ve considered all comments, the EqIA will be reviewed and may be updated.
We use the EqIA to help us decide if, and how, we should proceed with these proposals.
Journey planning
The following bus network map shows current and proposed routes 45, 59 and 118. It also shows the 35 for information only.
Route 35 has common sections with the 45 between Brixton and Elephant & Castle and is another bus option that passengers could use if the 45 no longer served stops between Camberwell and Elephant & Castle
No changes to the 35 are proposed.
Visit the ‘More information’ section for:
- Examples of typical bus journeys on routes 45, 59 and 118 and how these may change as a result of what is proposed. Contained in the ‘Journey planning’ document
More Information
You can also come and talk to Transport for London at our public drop in session.
We will be at Kings College Hospital between 12:00 and 16:00 on Wednesday 2 October 2024.
Please find us in the Golden Jubilee Wing, Ground floor atrium, Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE6 9RA.
Getting to Kings: https://www.kch.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/getting-to-kings/
If you are unable to make this date and time and would like to discuss the proposals further with us, please get in touch and we can respond to your queries directly.
We have also provided more information to help you respond:
Accessible Information
We want to make sure everyone is able to take part in our consultations. To help make it accessible to everyone we have provided:
You can translate the information on this page into another language by using the ‘Select language’ button at the bottom of the page
Connecting with London's deaf community on our consultations
To further enhance how we consult with London's deaf community we offer:
- A British Sign Language (BSL) video of our proposals and survey
- A BSL conversation service. This allows the TfL consultation lead to have a two-way BSL translated discussion with a BSL user. To request a BSL conversation please contact us at haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk and we will be in contact to arrange a convenient time
Tell us your views
You can reply by completing our survey, which should take no more than 10 minutes to complete or if you are short on time, you can submit a quick response.
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The closing date for comments is Sunday 13 October 2024.
Questions?
You can use our question tool during the consultation period. We will respond your questions as soon as we can.
You can also come and talk to Transport for London at our public drop in session.
We will be at Kings College Hospital between 12:00 and 16:00 on Wednesday 2 October 2024.
Please find us in the Golden Jubilee Wing, Ground floor atrium, Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE6 9RA.
Getting to Kings: https://www.kch.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/getting-to-kings/
If you are unable to make this date and time and would like to discuss the proposals further, you can also contact us by email, via our telephone call back service, 020 3054 6037; or in writing to FREEPOST TFL HAVE YOUR SAY, no stamp required.
Next steps
These proposals are subject to the outcome of our consultation. Once consultation ends on Sunday 13 October, we will spend time considering all the responses we receive and will prepare a consultation report.
The consultation report will help us reach a decision about how bus routes 45, 59 and 118 may change.
The report will be available to everyone that takes part in the consultation and a copy will be published on our website.
