SL14 - proposed express bus service between Stratford bus station and Chingford Hatch, with changes to route D8

Proposals

SL14

The SL14 would operate as an express bus service, serving a limited number of key bus stops and rail interchanges, including in local town centres and other busy locations along its route. As part of the Superloop family, the SL14 service would be frequent, simple, inclusive, and reliable.

In Stratford, the SL14 would start and end in Stratford Bus Station. In Chingford Hatch, its start and end point would be Hatch Lane.

The route would offer a direct rail interchange at Leyton, St James’s Street and Blackhorse Road stations. The SL14 would also connect with Superloop route SL1 at the Crooked Billet Roundabout.

Subject to the outcome of consultation, we would like the SL14 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 new route SL14 in its entirety. Also see the ‘Proposed bus stops and timings’ sections below.

(Click on map for a larger version)

D8

Bus route D8 currently operates between Crossharbour (ASDA) and Stratford Bus Station.

We propose to divert the route after its junction with Stratford High Street and Warton Road to a different start and end point at Stratford City Bus Station, close to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Westfield Stratford City. This would be to create space for the SL14 at Stratford Bus Station.

The section of the D8 route between Crossharbour and the Stratford High Street junction with Warton Road would not change. However, after Warton Road the D8 would no longer run via Stratford High Street to Stratford Bus Station.

Newly served bus stops on proposed route D8 in Stratford

• Warton Road (bus stops B and C)
• Stratford City Bus Station (bus stops S, W and X)

Bus stops that would no longer be served

• Warton Road (bus stop K)
• Stratford High Street / Carpenters Road (bus stops J and N)
• Stratford Bus Station (bus stops AP and E)

The following map shows proposed route SL14 and changes to the D8 in Stratford.

(Click on map for a larger version)

Proposed timings and bus stops

We propose the SL14 bus route would run:

• Seven days a week
• Operating between approximately 05:00 and 00:30
• Every 12 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytimes
• Every 15 minutes all evenings, on Sundays, and on early morning weekdays

The SL14 is not proposed to operate through the night.

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.

The following diagram shows proposed bus stops on route SL14. The bus stops proposed are those currently well used by customers on existing bus routes and those that serve key destinations.

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’ button to take part in the consultation survey.

(Click on map for a larger version)

What else we would like you to know

The SL14 would operate alongside other local bus routes, such as routes 158 and 357, increasing the number and frequency of buses.

This would create more room on board for customers along the busiest parts of route 158 and areas where new development is planned; such as near Leyton Tube Station and along Blackhorse Road / Blackhorse Lane in Walthamstow.

If the SL14 were to be introduced, subject to the outcome of consultation we would consider changing the frequency of services on route 158.

On route 158 (Stratford Bus Station – Chingford Mount) we would:

• Operate buses every eight minutes instead of every six minutes during Monday to Saturday daytimes (07:00 - 19:00)

Frequency changes are not within the scope of consultation. They form part of our continual review of the bus network which helps ensure services operate more efficiently where they are needed most.

Bus stops and stands

Subject to the outcome of consultation, and discussion and agreement with the London Boroughs of Newham and Waltham Forest, we would also consider changing some bus stop and bus stand layouts to accommodate the SL14 at its start and end points. This may include the following locations:

• Stratford Bus Station
• Hatch Lane or Chingdale Road

How it impacts you

We have completed an initial Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA). We do not expect the introduction of new route SL14 would have a negative impact. We also recognise the proposed rerouting of the D8 would change some customer journeys.

However, we also 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.

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.

Positives

We believe a new bus route could benefit all customers, including older people, disabled people, and people on low incomes.

We consider the SL14 would:

• Provide quicker connections between key locations with buses operating more frequently
  
  
• Reduced bus waiting times and less crowding at bus stops, including for customers using route 158
  
  
• Offer a quicker, alternative bus option for current customers on route 158
  
  
• Create new, direct bus journey opportunities for customers travelling between Chingford Hatch and Blackhorse Road / Blackhorse Lane and onwards to Stratford
• Expand the Superloop express bus network and encourage more sustainable journeys in northeast and east London

If we were to reroute the D8 to Stratford City Bus Station, this would:

• Reduce journey times for customers using route D8 and increase bus frequency for customers using route 108 from certain bus stops to access the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the London Stadium and Westfield Stratford City
  
  

Potential concerns and mitigations

We recognise there would be a journey adjustment for customers currently using route D8 to access Stratford High Street and Stratford Bus Station if it were to be rerouted. Potential concerns for customers using the D8 may include:

• The proposed change to the D8 would mean approximately 250 customers on a typical weekday, would need to change bus to complete their current journey or walk the remainder of their journey, which may take approximately five minutes
• Three bus stops would no longer be served: Warton Road (bus stop K), Stratford High Street Station / Carpenters Road (bus stops J and N), and Stratford Bus Station (bus stops AP and E)
• Customers wishing to access bus stops towards Stratford Bus Station, along Stratford High Street, after Warton Road could interchange to several other local bus routes to complete their journey. This would be at no extra cost using our Hopper Fare
  
  

(Click on map for a larger version)

Superloop and buses in London

The Superloop launched in 2023. It is helping to make buses a more popular option for more people. There are currently ten routes in service.

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.

Following public consultation earlier this year we have confirmed three new Superloop routes will join the London bus network:

• BL1 - the Bakerloop operating between Waterloo and Lewisham, in service from 27 September 2025
• SL11 - between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood, entering service in 2026
  
  
• SL12 - between Gants Hill and Rainham, also entering service in 2026

The following map shows proposed route SL14 as part of an expanded Superloop network.

(Click on map for a larger version)

Visit our Superloop expansion web page 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 the bus corridors near Leyton Tube Station and along Blackhorse Road / Blackhorse Lane in Walthamstow where bus services are already popular.

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 also provided more information to help you respond and a set of Frequently Asked Questions:

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 Wednesday 5 November 2025.

Questions?

You can use our question tool during the consultation period. We will respond 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 Wednesday 5 November 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 on Superloop route SL14 and changes to route D8.

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