Barnham Drive proposals - Thamesmead

Proposals

We would like to complete the missing section of Barnham Drive in Thamesmead, by constructing a new stretch of road to link up the existing ‘stubs’ at either end, as has been planned for many years. The new road would be around 400 metres long and would include facilities for buses, cyclists and pedestrians only. While general traffic would not be permitted to use the new road, the restrictions would begin after the two existing residential properties at the southern end of Barnham Drive.

Our proposals include:

• A new stretch of two-way ‘bus only’ road
• A two-way cycle path alongside the new road
• Pavements along both sides of the new road
• A connection to the footpath and cycleway to Newmarsh Road
• Two new bus stops (one in each direction, each with a bus shelter)
• Streetlighting along the new road
• No parking at any time along Barnham Drive

You can see the location of the proposed new Barnham Drive on the map below:

Click on map for a larger version

You can also view a more detailed map of the proposals.

It has not yet been decided which bus services would serve the new road – this will be consulted on separately in due course.

Why?

Thamesmead Waterfront is proposed for significant regeneration and is currently less well served by public transport than other areas of London. We are working on ways to improve transport infrastructure for both existing and future communities in Thamesmead. This work includes our proposal to extend the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Thamesmead via Beckton Riverside which we consulted on earlier in 2025. Initiatives to improve public transport access for residents such as the DLR extension complement an improved bus network for residents and for the phases of new development.

We want to improve bus access to the new and existing residential developments and to make it easier for both new and existing local residents to move around on foot and by cycle. This proposal intends to improve connections between Thamesmead West and Thamesmead town centre, which currently requires a long diversion via main roads to move between them.

This supports our wider aims of making bus travel across London an efficient and attractive travel choice. Read more in our Bus Action Plan.

We are currently also consulting on separate proposals to improve bus journeys and facilities for cyclists and pedestrians on the main roads between Woolwich and Abbey Wood via Thamesmead.

How it may affect you

It is intended that the proposal should have largely positive impacts. We would like to highlight the following impacts which we have identified:

• A new bus service link would be created between the residential areas of east and west Thamesmead, offering more efficient bus journeys around the area
  
  
• Pedestrians and cyclists would also be able to take advantage of the new link, making journeys faster and avoiding long diversions. This is intended to make walking and cycling a more attractive travel option, particularly for shorter journeys
  
  
• A more direct route from eastern parts of Thamesmead to destinations in Thamesmead such as Discovery Primary School and Thamesmead Health Centre would be created. Bus links from residential areas to transport hubs at Abbey Wood and Woolwich would also be improved
  
  
• The new road would be available to buses, pedestrians and cyclists only, minimising noise and any emissions impacts from general traffic
  
  
• No parking would be permitted at any point along Barnham Drive, including in the existing parts of the road where informal parking currently takes place. Some residents and visitors may need to find alternative places to park if the proposals go ahead
  
  
• The area proposed for the new road is currently inaccessible to the public and has not been for many years. There is therefore a large amount of vegetation which would need to be removed to make way for the new road. You can read about how we plan to assess and mitigate impacts on the local ecology and environment in this document

Click on map for a larger version

We have prepared an Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA) for these proposals.

We would like to hear any comments you might have about how the proposals might impact you, whether positively or negatively. Please take our survey to share your views.

More information

We will be holding two drop-in sessions:

• Tuesday 9 December 2025 (16.00 to 19.00) Abbey Wood Elizbeth line station
• Saturday 10 January 2026 (11.00 to 14.00) Moorings Sociable Club, Arnott Close, Thamesmead, SE28 8BG

This will give you an opportunity to get further information about the proposals and provide your thoughts and feedback, to allow us to consider your views.

We have also provided more information here 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:

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.

The closing date for comments is 22 January 2026.

Questions?

You can use our question tool during the consultation period. We will respond to your questions as soon as we can.

You can also contact us by email, via our telephone call back service (020 3054 6037) or in writing (FREEPOST TFL HAVE YOUR SAY)

Next steps

These proposals are subject to the outcome of our consultation. After the consultation ends on Thursday 22 January 2026, we will spend time considering all the feedback we receive and compile a consultation report. This will help inform our decisions about our next steps. It will also contain our responses to all the issues raised during the consultation process.

Constructing Barnham Drive would be subject to obtaining planning permission from the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The outcomes of this consultation would help to inform a planning application for building the new road.

Everyone who takes part in the consultation will receive a copy of the consultation report and it will be published on our website in due course.