SL11 - Proposed express bus service between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood

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We would like your feedback on proposals to renumber bus route 472 as route SL11. We would then operate the SL11 as a limited-stop express service, between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood via Woolwich and Thamesmead.

The consultation period has now closed. You can find updates on the scheme in the 'Latest news' section.

Proposals

The SL11 would operate as an express bus service with limited stops between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood, via Woolwich and Thamesmead, reducing journey times and providing quicker connections between the Elizabeth line, DLR, London Underground, National Rail and other Superloop services.

The SL11 would follow the same line of route as the 472 does now except for Woolwich town centre where its route would be more direct.

Proposed Superloop route SL11 mapClick on map for larger version


As part of the Superloop family, the SL11 service would be frequent, simple, inclusive, and reliable. Subject to the outcome of consultation, we would like the SL11 to operate using double deck buses with the usual Superloop accessibility features and on-board facilities such as USB charging points and travel information.

The following map shows proposed route SL11 and how this would fit into an expanded Superloop network.


More about the SL11

As the SL11 would be a limited-stop service, some bus stops on current route 472 would not be served. These bus stops would continue to be served by other local bus routes already operating a high frequency service, including routes 161, 177, 180, 244, 301 and 380.

The SL11 is not proposed to operate through the night.

Between approximately 00:00 and 05:00, a standard night bus service would operate, which would be numbered N472. The N472 would continue to serve all existing stops on the current route 472, including in Woolwich town centre.

Times shown are indicative for consultation purposes. Timetables would only be developed following consultation, and once a decision as to how to proceed is made.

Woolwich town centre

The following map focuses on route SL11 in Woolwich town centre. We propose to simplify the route through the town centre, via Beresford Street in both directions. The SL11 would stop at Woolwich Station (Stops K and D). This allows for a more direct eastbound routeing, towards Abbey Wood, further reducing journey times.


Proposed route SL11 in Woolwich town centre mapClick on map for larger version


In Woolwich town centre, eastbound towards Abbey Wood, the SL11 would serve bus stop K, Woolwich Station.

It would not serve the following bus stops:

  • Bus stop Y for John Wilson Street/Powis Street
  • Bus stop T for Thomas Street/Green Ends
  • Bus stop N for Woolwich Arsenal Station

In Woolwich town centre westbound towards North Greenwich, the SL11 would serve bus stop D, Woolwich Station.

It would not serve the following bus stops:

  • Bus stop U for Beresford Square/Woolwich Arsenal station
  • Bus stop A for Woolwich Ferry

Proposed routeing and bus stops in more detail

The SL11 express service would run:

  • Seven days a week
  • Operating between approximately 05:00 and 00:30
  • Every 8 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytimes and every 10 minutes on Monday to Saturday evenings
  • Every 12 minutes during Sundays

At night, the N472 stopping service would run:

  • Seven days week
  • Operating between approximately 00:00 and 05:00
  • Every 30 minutes, Monday to Sunday

The frequencies are indicative and set out the minimum frequency at which we expect the SL11 to operate. Subject to the outcome of consultation, the indicated frequencies may change.

Timings are approximate. Timetables would only be developed following consultation, and once a decision as to how to proceed is made.

The following maps show current route 472 and proposed bus stops on route SL11 eastbound and westbound:

Current route 472 and proposed bus stops on route SL11 mapClick on map for larger image


The SL11 route aims to create direct journey links between North Greenwich, Woolwich, Thamesmead, and Abbey Wood. This would improve journey times and provide quicker outer London connections between Elizabeth line, DLR, London Underground, National Rail and other Superloop services.

The SL11 would connect with Superloop route SL3 at Abbey Wood and at Thamesmead for onward journeys between Bexleyheath, Sidcup, Bickley, and Bromley. 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.

Please visit the ‘tell us your views’ tab to take part in the consultation survey .


Return to the top of the page


We would like your feedback on proposals to renumber bus route 472 as route SL11. We would then operate the SL11 as a limited-stop express service, between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood via Woolwich and Thamesmead.

The consultation period has now closed. You can find updates on the scheme in the 'Latest news' section.

Proposals

The SL11 would operate as an express bus service with limited stops between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood, via Woolwich and Thamesmead, reducing journey times and providing quicker connections between the Elizabeth line, DLR, London Underground, National Rail and other Superloop services.

The SL11 would follow the same line of route as the 472 does now except for Woolwich town centre where its route would be more direct.

Proposed Superloop route SL11 mapClick on map for larger version


As part of the Superloop family, the SL11 service would be frequent, simple, inclusive, and reliable. Subject to the outcome of consultation, we would like the SL11 to operate using double deck buses with the usual Superloop accessibility features and on-board facilities such as USB charging points and travel information.

The following map shows proposed route SL11 and how this would fit into an expanded Superloop network.


More about the SL11

As the SL11 would be a limited-stop service, some bus stops on current route 472 would not be served. These bus stops would continue to be served by other local bus routes already operating a high frequency service, including routes 161, 177, 180, 244, 301 and 380.

The SL11 is not proposed to operate through the night.

Between approximately 00:00 and 05:00, a standard night bus service would operate, which would be numbered N472. The N472 would continue to serve all existing stops on the current route 472, including in Woolwich town centre.

Times shown are indicative for consultation purposes. Timetables would only be developed following consultation, and once a decision as to how to proceed is made.

Woolwich town centre

The following map focuses on route SL11 in Woolwich town centre. We propose to simplify the route through the town centre, via Beresford Street in both directions. The SL11 would stop at Woolwich Station (Stops K and D). This allows for a more direct eastbound routeing, towards Abbey Wood, further reducing journey times.


Proposed route SL11 in Woolwich town centre mapClick on map for larger version


In Woolwich town centre, eastbound towards Abbey Wood, the SL11 would serve bus stop K, Woolwich Station.

It would not serve the following bus stops:

  • Bus stop Y for John Wilson Street/Powis Street
  • Bus stop T for Thomas Street/Green Ends
  • Bus stop N for Woolwich Arsenal Station

In Woolwich town centre westbound towards North Greenwich, the SL11 would serve bus stop D, Woolwich Station.

It would not serve the following bus stops:

  • Bus stop U for Beresford Square/Woolwich Arsenal station
  • Bus stop A for Woolwich Ferry

Proposed routeing and bus stops in more detail

The SL11 express service would run:

  • Seven days a week
  • Operating between approximately 05:00 and 00:30
  • Every 8 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytimes and every 10 minutes on Monday to Saturday evenings
  • Every 12 minutes during Sundays

At night, the N472 stopping service would run:

  • Seven days week
  • Operating between approximately 00:00 and 05:00
  • Every 30 minutes, Monday to Sunday

The frequencies are indicative and set out the minimum frequency at which we expect the SL11 to operate. Subject to the outcome of consultation, the indicated frequencies may change.

Timings are approximate. Timetables would only be developed following consultation, and once a decision as to how to proceed is made.

The following maps show current route 472 and proposed bus stops on route SL11 eastbound and westbound:

Current route 472 and proposed bus stops on route SL11 mapClick on map for larger image


The SL11 route aims to create direct journey links between North Greenwich, Woolwich, Thamesmead, and Abbey Wood. This would improve journey times and provide quicker outer London connections between Elizabeth line, DLR, London Underground, National Rail and other Superloop services.

The SL11 would connect with Superloop route SL3 at Abbey Wood and at Thamesmead for onward journeys between Bexleyheath, Sidcup, Bickley, and Bromley. 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.

Please visit the ‘tell us your views’ tab to take part in the consultation survey .


Return to the top of the page


  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    We are holding a six-week public consultation to hear what you think about our proposal. We want to know how it may impact you, positively or negatively; your views on bus stop locations, if there is anything you do not agree with, and to understand the reasons why you feel this way.

    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 Sunday 13 April 2025. 

    To take part in our online survey you will need to register with your email address. Your details will be kept secure.

    If you prefer, you can also let us have your comments by:

    • Email: haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk
    • Telephone: 020 3054 6037 to leave your name and contact number and we will call you back. Please quote 'SL11' when leaving your message
    • In writing to: FREEPOST TFL HAVE YOUR SAY (SL11) no postage stamp required

    Please note responses to the survey may be made publicly available after the consultation has closed, this would typically be in the form of a report on the results of the consultation exercise, but any personal information will be kept confidential. Your personal information will be properly safeguarded and processed in accordance with the requirements of privacy and data protection legislation. For further information, please read our privacy policy.

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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    We know that life is busy and you may just have one short moment to tell us what you think of our proposals. That's why we now let you submit a quick consultation response.

    This is different from our consultation survey as we ask just one short question "Tell us what you think of our proposal".

    Your response can be long or short, but importantly it lets us know your views. 

    You will need to register with our Have Your Say platform to give us your quick response, although your details will be kept secure.  

     You have until Sunday 13 April 2025 to give us your feedback.

    Please note that responses will be made publicly available after the consultation has closed in the form of a report on the results. Your personal information will be properly safeguarded and processed in accordance with the requirements of privacy and data protection legislation. For further information, please visit our privacy policy.

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Page last updated: 14 Apr 2025, 11:15 AM