Silvertown Tunnel Bus Network Proposals

Update 28 March 2023

Between 16 November 2022 and 11 January 2023, we consulted on the proposed opening bus network for the Silvertown Tunnel, due to open in 2025. We received 644 responses to the consultation in total. Thank you to those who took part and shared their views.

Our consultation report includes the detailed analysis of the consultation responses and our responses to issues frequently raised throughout the consultation. You can also read Steer’s consultation report in Appendix E.

After carefully considering the feedback we received, we have decided to proceed with the proposed opening bus network, with some amendments to the original proposals. Specifically:

• The proposed new route X239 will run between Grove Park and Canary Wharf, Westferry Circus, with a non-stopping section between Sun-in-the-Sands roundabout and Orchard Place
• We asked consultees for their preferences on how route X239 accesses Blackwall Way. In response to this question, the new route will travel via Orchard Place to serve the Leamouth Peninsula Developments
• We asked consultees their preferences for how route X239 accesses Woof Wharf. Wood Wharf will not be accessible until at least 2027, therefore we have decided to route X239 via Baffin Way and Trafalgar Way in the interim. We will keep this section of the route under review
• Route 129 will be extended from North Greenwich to Great Eastern Quay via the Silvertown Tunnel
• We asked consultees their preferences for how route 129 accesses the Royal Docks. Although Tidal Basin Road was the preferred option, route 129 will be routed via Dock Road to benefit the future riverside development
• Route 108 will be rerouted to access North Greenwich Station via the new slip road connecting to Millennium Way when travelling towards Lewisham

Further detail as to why we have made these decisions is included in the final consultation report. You can also read our responses to issues frequently raised.

The network will begin operating when the Silvertown Tunnel opens in 2025, and we will be working to deliver a zero-emission bus fleet across all three routes. We will continue to keep the bus network under review as the local area continues to grow and develop.

Route X239 would also form part of the Mayor of London’s proposed new ‘Superloop’ bus network. To find out more about the proposed Superloop, visit: https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/superloop

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 We are proposing to introduce a new cross-river bus network as part of the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel in 2025. The new network will reduce the barrier to movement created by the Thames by connecting people north and south of the river. It will provide access to jobs, education, and leisure opportunities to support regeneration in south and east London and encourage more trips to be made by public transport.

We are proposing:

• A new high frequency, limited stop service between Grove Park and Canary Wharf referred to in this consultation as route X239
• To extend route 129 (Lewisham – North Greenwich) north across the river to Great Eastern Quay via the Royal Docks development zone
• A minor change to route 108 so that it uses the new Millennium Way slip road to exit the Blackwall Tunnel southbound
• We are also seeking your views on route options for three sections of routes 129 and X239.

Our public consultation is now open, and you have from 16 November 2022 until 11 January 2023 to have your say on our suggested initial Silvertown Tunnel bus network.

You can find maps of the proposed routes, and proposed route section options in the documents section. There are also several documents that explain our proposals in more detail.

We want this consultation to be accessible to everyone. There is an Easy Read version of our materials in the ‘Documents’ section, as well as an Easy Read version of our consultation survey. There are BSL videos of the proposals and consultation survey also available. You can also listen to an audio version of the proposals and audio version of the survey. If you require translations, you can read our proposals in Bengali, Nepali and Polish or email haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk to request other translations. You can also translate this webpage using the button at the bottom of the page.

Proposals in detail

We are consulting on three bus routes in total; existing routes 108 and 129 and a proposed new route X239. In addition, we are also seeking your views on three options for specific sections of routes 129 and X239. You can read about our proposals in more detail, including the rationale, proposed frequencies of each route and the expected benefits of the proposals, in our ‘About this Consultation’ document in the documents library.

We are consulting on:

Introducing a new route, referred to in this consultation as route X239, operating between Grove Park and Canary Wharf (Westferry Circus). The route would be non-stop between Sun-in-the-Sands roundabout and Leamouth roundabout to improve journey times. The route would be every 8 minutes Monday to Friday daytimes and every 15 minutes weekends and all evenings. View this map to see the proposed route.

• Options for how new route X239 accesses Blackwall way. One option is for route X239 to go directly from the Lower Lea Crossing into Blackwall Way for the quickest journey time or be routed to go via Orchard Place to serve the Leamouth peninsula developments. View this map to see each route option.
• Options for how the new route X239 accesses Wood Wharf from Blackwall Way. Route X239 could access Wood Wharf via Baffin Way in both directions requiring highway changes, or instead go via Yabsley Street when travelling southbound (towards Grove Park) which does not require as significant highway changes. View this map to see each route option.

Extending route 129 north across the river into the Royal Docks. It currently operates from Lewisham to North Greenwich and the proposal is to extend it through the Silvertown Tunnel to terminate at Great Eastern Quay. The route would directly connect Lewisham, Greenwich, North Greenwich, London City Airport & Beckton using Silvertown Tunnel. In addition, frequencies would be increased on each day of the week. View this map to see the proposed extended route.

• Options for how the extended route 129 accesses the Royal Docks. The 129 could access the Royal Docks via Tidal Basin Road to serve Royal Victoria or via Dock Road to serve the future Thameside West development. View this map to see each route option.

Rerouting the 108 slightly so that it uses the new Millennium Way slip road when exiting the Blackwall Tunnel in the southbound direction, speeding up the journey to North Greenwich Station. This would mean Stop MW (Boord Street) would no longer be served by route 108 in the southbound direction. View this map to see the proposed amended route.

Our proposals relate to the initial bus network through Silvertown Tunnel when it opens in 2025. We would expect the network to evolve and grow over time. You can read about how we developed these proposals in our Silvertown Buses Supporting Document.

It is also our expectation to make all buses using both Silvertown and Blackwall Tunnels zero emission.

The Silvertown Tunnel 

In 2018, the Secretary of State gave permission for the Silvertown Tunnel to be built, linking the Greenwich Peninsula, located south of the river, with Silvertown, located north of the river. Construction of the tunnel is now underway, with the tunnel expected to open in 2025. You can read about the progress of the tunnel on our Silvertown Tunnel project page, or by visiting Riverlinx’s website.

The tunnel provides the opportunity to improve cross-river public transport. As part of gaining consent for the tunnel, we committed to providing at least 20 buses per hour in each direction at peak times through both the Silvertown Tunnel and Blackwall Tunnel combined. Our proposals meet this. However, it is recognised that as travel patterns develop over time the bus network will also need to adapt as time passes and people’s travel patterns adapt to the tunnel’s opening.

You can read more about the background to this consultation in the ‘Silvertown Buses Supporting Document’. Additionally, we have provided a Frequently Asked Questions section.

How to have your say

Our consultation is now open, and we would like to hear your views. The consultation will run until 11 January 2023 for you to have your say. We would like you to tell us how our proposals may impact you. Your views are important to us and will help us with our decision making.

You can respond to the consultation by completing our online survey. To do this, you will need to register with your email address. Your details will be kept secure and only used with your permission.

If you prefer, you can email your comments to haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk or write to us at FREEPOST TFL HAVE YOUR SAY (Silvertown Buses).

You can also phone our consultation helpline on 020 3054 6037 and leave your name, number and message and someone from the consultation team will call you back.

You can complete an Easy Read survey or downloadable copy of the consultation survey and email or post it to us via the methods above.

You can also ask us questions throughout the consultation, using the ‘Questions’ tool below.

View the documents section for other helpful documents to help you respond.