SL15 - proposed express bus service between Clapham Junction and Eltham

Proposals

The SL15 would run between Clapham Junction and Eltham stations, via Tulse Hill and Catford, and would primarily follow the A205 South Circular Road.

The following map shows proposed new route SL15 in its entirety. Also see the 'Proposed timings and bus stops' section below.

Click on map for larger image

The SL15 would operate as an express bus service. It would serve a limited number of key bus stops, including eight rail interchanges, local town centres and other busy locations along its proposed route. As part of the Superloop family the SL15 service would be frequent, simple, inclusive and reliable.

At Clapham Junction, the route would start and end at Falcon Road. In Eltham, it would start and end at Eltham Station after serving the High Street.

Low bridge

Due to the low railway bridge on Thurlow Park Road, double-deck vehicles would not be suitable for the SL15. Therefore, subject to the outcome of consultation, the SL15 would operate with single-deck buses, featuring the usual Superloop accessibility provisions and on-board facilities such as USB charging points and travel information.

Proposed timings and bus stops

We propose the SL15 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 SL15 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 reached.

The following diagram shows proposed bus stops on route SL15. 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’ tab to take part in the consultation survey.

Click on map for larger image

What else we would like you to know

The SL15 would be an addition to the south London bus network, operating alongside other local bus routes across its proposed route. This would increase the number and frequency of buses in the area and may create more room on-board for customers of other routes such as the P13, 160 and 185.

Bus stops and stands

Subject to the outcome of consultation, we would review bus stop and stand arrangements to help accommodate new route SL15 where it starts and ends, and to manage bus driver facilities.

At Clapham Junction, and subject to agreement with the London Borough of Wandsworth, we would review bus stopping arrangements around Clapham Junction station. This may result in changes to local bus stops for routes C3, 35, 39, 49, 170, 295, 319, and 344. We are also considering introducing a new set-down bus stop on Falcon Road (for alighting passengers off terminating routes), beneath the railway bridge.

At Eltham Station, subject to agreement with the Royal Borough of Greenwich we would consider converting a disused coach stop to a new SL15 pick up point.

Further information about these potential changes and how they may affect customers can be found the ‘How it impacts you’ section. The potential Clapham Junction bus stop changes are described in detail in the initial Equalities Impact Assessmentdocument, found in the ‘Maps and more information’ section.

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How it impacts you

We have completed an initial Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA). We use the EqIA to help us decide if, and how, we should proceed with these proposals.

While we expect the introduction of new route SL15 would have a positive impact, we recognise potential changes to bus stopping arrangements around Clapham Junction station may be negative to some customers.

However, we 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.

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 SL15 would:

• Expand the Superloop express bus network and encourage more sustainable journeys in south London
• Reduce bus waiting times and crowding at bus stops, including for customers using routes P13, 160 and 185
• Provide quicker connections between key locations with buses operating more frequently between:
  • Catford and Lee – to Eltham
  • Battersea/Clapham Junction – to Clapham South
• Create new, direct bus journey opportunities for customers travelling between:
  • Battersea/Clapham Junction and Clapham Common west side – to Brixton Hill and Clapham Park
  • Battersea/Clapham Junction, Clapham South, Clapham Park, Brixton Hill, Tulse Hill and West Dulwich – to Catford, Lee and Eltham
  • Brixton Hill, Tulse Hill and West Dulwich – to Forest Hill
• Create interchanges between 77 other bus routes and eight train stations, including Northern line Tube services; London Overground Windrush line services at Forest Hill and Windrush and Mildmay services at Clapham Junction; and National Rail services on Southeastern, Southern, Thameslink and South Western Railway
  
  

Potential concerns

The SL15 proposal is not expected to have an impact on existing bus customers overall. However some customers may need to walk further to or from alternative bus stops at Clapham Junction or local amenities if their bus stop locations change. Walking times may increase or decrease by up to two minutes depending on individual circumstances.

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 11 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 added three new Superloop routes to the London bus network:

• BL1 the Bakerloop between Waterloo and Lewisham, which entered service on 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

We are also in consultation for proposed new routes SL13 between Hendon and Ealing Broadway and SL14 between Stratford bus station and Chingford Hatch.

The following map shows proposed route SL15 as part of an expanded Superloop network.

Click on map for 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 key locations in south London where bus services are already popular and are heavily relied on by local communities.

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.

Maps and 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 Sunday 30 November 2025.

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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 Sunday 30 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 whether or not to introduce new Superloop route SL15, or whether any changes to our proposal are required.

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