BL1 – Proposed express bus route between Waterloo and Lewisham town centre

Proposals

Proposed route BL1 would provide an express link between Waterloo, Elephant & Castle and Lewisham town centre. This would provide much needed connectivity between these areas, and would support our future proposals to deliver the Bakerloo line extension.

As part of the Superloop family, the BL1 service would be frequent, simple, inclusive, and reliable.

Subject to the outcome of consultation and bus route tests, we would like the BL1 to operate using double deck buses including other Superloop accessibility features and on-board facilities such as USB charging points and travel information.

Also subject to the outcome of consultation, should we decide to proceed to introduce route BL1, unique design features inspired by the Bakerloo line would be developed.

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Proposed timetable, routeing, and bus stops

The BL1 Bakerloop would run:

• Seven days a week
• Operating between 05:00 and 00:30 (it would not operate through the night)
• Every 12 minutes during the daytime from Monday to Saturday
• Every 15 minutes in the evenings and on Sundays

In line with what is proposed for a future Bakerloo line extension, the BL1 Bakerloop would start and stop at Waterloo, via the following key transport interchanges and town centres: Waterloo, Elephant & Castle, Burgess Park (Dunton Road), Old Kent Road (Ilderton Road), New Cross Gate, Lewisham station and town centre.

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The route aims to create new and direct journey links between Elephant & Castle and Lewisham; and easier connections between London Underground, London Overground, DLR, National Rail and other bus routes. We selected bus stop locations with this in mind.

However, we would like your feedback on whether these are the right places and bus stops for the new route.

You can let us know what you think of these proposals by completing our survey.

At Waterloo we think the BL1 would start and stop on Waterloo Road, at the same bus stops that route 172 does now. This is for ease of access, including step-free access to Tube and National Rail services.

In Elephant & Castle it is proposed the BL1 would stop on both sides of the junction, at London Road and New Kent Road.

The bus stop at London Road aims to provide convenient access to the Bakerloo line at Elephant & Castle Tube station.

The bus stop at New Kent Road aims to provide convenient access to both the Northern line at Elephant & Castle Tube station and National Rail services from Elephant & Castle train station.

In Lewisham we expect the BL1 would use the same bus stops as route 21 between Lewisham High Street and Lewisham Station/Loampit Vale. This aims to maximise opportunities to connect with other popular public transport services.

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The next map shows the proposed BL1 route and how this would fit into an expanded Superloop network.

Click on map for larger version

How it impacts you

We have completed an initial Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA). We do not expect the BL1 would have a negative impact.

However, we also want to hear how you think the proposals may impact you, positively or negatively.

You can let us know what you think of these proposals by completing our survey.

Our initial EqIA identifies in more detail:

• The affects these proposals could have on people
• How we propose to minimise any negative impacts

We use the EqIA to help us decide if, and how, we should proceed with these proposals.

After we’ve considered all comments, the EqIA will be reviewed and updated.

We believe a new bus route could benefit all passengers, including older people, disabled people, and people on low incomes. We consider the BL1 would:

• Provide new, more direct transport options between key locations in Lewisham, Southwark, and Lambeth
  
  
• Provide quicker journey times to outer London transport and town centre hubs by serving fewer bus stops
  
  
• Provide extra space on buses, particularly along the Old Kent Road corridor where further growth is expected, reducing bus waiting times
• Create easier interchanges and connections between the BL1 and other bus services, as well as Tube, London Overground, DLR and National Rail services
  
  
• Encourage more sustainable journeys in Lewisham, Southwark, and Lambeth by providing much needed connectivity between these areas
  
  
• The ‘Hopper’ bus fare provides the ability to make a second bus journey within 60 minutes of boarding the first, at no additional cost

Background

The Superloop launched in 2023. It is helping to make buses a more popular option for more people. There are currently nine routes in service, with the SL4 between Canary Wharf – Grove Park planned to start service once the Silvertown Tunnel opens on 7 April 2025.

The Superloop is a key part of the Mayor of London and TfL’s commitment to improve the bus network in outer London. We are keen to build on its success by connecting more parts of London. This would enable even more people to benefit from improved public transport connections and journey times as London’s communities continue to develop.

Visit our Superloop expansion webpage for further details about how the Superloop may expand, including future consultation dates and latest news.

Buses in London

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.

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. This includes areas such as Burgess Park and the Old Kent Road development area where new and existing homes and amenities are creating more demand for public transport as a genuine and affordable alternative to private car use.

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.

More Information

We have provided more information for you to respond. You can also use our question tool during the consultation period. We will respond your questions as soon as we can.

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 Friday 14 March 2025.

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. Once consultation ends on Friday 14 March 2025, 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 whether to introduce new route BL1.

The report will be available to everyone that takes part in the consultation and a copy will be published on our website.