Overview

The Mayor of London and TfL are proposing to expand the Superloop network to provide additional express bus routes.

As part of this initial Superloop expansion, we are proposing to introduce a new express bus service called the Bakerloop, which would be numbered route BL1. This proposed service would provide an express link between Waterloo, Elephant & Castle, and Lewisham town centre. This would provide much-needed connectivity in the area and support our plans to deliver the Bakerloo line extension.

Subject to future consultations, two other routes would form part of this initial phase of the proposed Superloop expansion. We are proposing to introduce route SL11, which would run between Thamesmead and North Greenwich. This would support the early stages of regeneration plans in Thamesmead and our proposals to extend the DLR. We would also introduce route SL12, which would run between Rainham, Ferry Lane and Gants Hill, extending the Superloop network further into outer London.

These plans form part of the Mayor’s commitments to:

• Improve public transport connectivity and capacity between south east London and central London by delivering some of the benefits of the Bakerloo line extension
• Provide a bus transit scheme in Thamesmead, following funding secured from Government in the 2023 Autumn Statement
• Further improve public transport in outer London by building on the success of the Superloop

Superloop expansion proposals

The Superloop was first launched in 2023. This bus network is providing customers with quicker journey times in outer London to key places such as town centres, hospitals, schools, and transport interchanges. This is helping to make sustainable bus travel a popular option for more people. Bus ridership on Superloop corridors has grown by up to 9 per cent more than the network average. The network connects people using it with 310 other bus routes, 49 rail stations and 23 rail lines, improving connectivity in outer London.

We are now proposing to further develop this network of express bus routes to connect even more places in London. The expansion is proposed to be introduced in stages. We would initially expand the network to include the following bus routes:

• Bakerloop, which would be numbered route BL1 - Waterloo, Elephant & Castle to Lewisham town centre
• Route SL11 - Abbey Wood to North Greenwich via Woolwich. Under these proposals, the existing route 472 would renumbered as route SL11 and operate as an express service
• Route SL12 - Rainham, Ferry Lane to Gants Hill via Romford

More about the Bakerloop proposals

The proposed Bakerloop service, which would eventually be known as route BL1, would run between Waterloo, Elephant & Castle and Lewisham town centre via Burgess Park, Old Kent Road, New Cross Gate and Lewisham station. This would create new and direct journey links between these areas and easier connections between London Underground, London Overground, DLR, National Rail and other bus routes. The consultation for this proposal is now live.

This express bus service would follow the same route as the proposed Bakerloo line extension from Elephant & Castle to Lewisham. As such, it would serve both existing stations and areas where new stations are proposed as part of the Bakerloo line extension. The proposed Bakerloop would therefore enable us to deliver express bus capacity and other benefits to south east London in advance of proposed extension of the tube line. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, passenger service on the Bakerloop, route BL1, could potentially start in autumn 2025. Any eventual ‘Bakerloop’ service would be part-funded by Southwark Council through Section 106 funding from development in the area.

The proposals for the Bakerloo line extension are essential to the development and regeneration plans for Old Kent Road in the London Borough of Southwark and New Cross Gate and Lewisham town centres in the London Borough of Lewisham. This is because good high-capacity transport connectivity is required to realise the full economic, social, and environmental benefits to these areas.

Continued investment in the transport network is needed to support growth and jobs in London. We’re continuing discussions with the Government to secure a viable funding package for the proposed Bakerloo line extension, while also exploring what funding opportunities London could contribute to this.

More about route SL11 proposals

The regeneration plans for Thamesmead rely on new public transport to better connect the area to the rest of London and help unlock the maximum opportunity for new homes.

The Government announced funding in the 2023 Autumn Statement for a bus transit scheme in Thamesmead to support this regeneration. Bus transit schemes use a combination of express bus services with changes to the roads to ensure a quick and reliable service. Such schemes can feature dedicated infrastructure, such as bus lanes as well as traffic light priority at junctions, which helps to protect buses from the effects of traffic congestion. These schemes can also feature enhanced bus stops as well as healthy streets and cycling infrastructure.

It is proposed that the existing route 472, would be renumbered as route SL11, and would run as an express service between Abbey Wood and North Greenwich via Thamesmead and Woolwich. This would improve journey times and provide quicker connections between the Elizabeth line, DLR, London Underground and National Rail. All bus stops on the existing route 472 would either be served by route SL11 or require some existing passengers to switch to high frequency parallel bus routes. These proposals would support the early stages of development in Thamesmead. We are also working with the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the London Borough of Bexley to develop the detailed plans for the highway and bus infrastructure. These plans would be subject to consultation at a later date.

To deliver the full potential of these regeneration plans, we are also proposing to extend the DLR from Gallions Reach, with new stations at Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead.

More about route SL12 proposals

Route SL12 would run between Rainham, Ferry Lane to Gants Hill via Romford. The proposed route would improve access to growing industry and business districts located in the south of Havering by enhancing north-south links. The proposed route would provide areas not linked by the rail network with access to the Central line and the existing Superloop network in Redbridge.

Working with boroughs

We are working closely with the relevant boroughs to ensure these plans work for London’s communities. This work will help us develop proposals that complement the growth plans of these local authorities, while also ensuring operational and infrastructure requirements for the proposed bus routes are met.

Next steps for the proposed Superloop expansion

We have launched the consultation on the Bakerloop proposals. The consultation will close on 14 March 2025.

Proposals for route SL11 and route SL12 will be subject to consultation in spring 2025.

All customer and stakeholder feedback will be used to help shape our decision making on the new routes.

How to get involved

To register your interest in these Superloop expansion consultations and receive updates, please click the 'Subscribe' button below. We will then notify you once further consultations are launched so you can tell us your views about the schemes being proposed.

Before the consultations start, you can also ask questions about the proposed Superloop expansion, using the Questions tool below. Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions first in case your question has already been answered.

Any question submitted via the Questions tool will not be used as part of the consultation. You’ll need to respond to the consultations once they launch so we can include all your views. The consultations will include more information about the proposals, and we want to include all your feedback to help inform our decision.