Thamesmead bus lane, walking and cycling proposals

We are proposing changes to roads which run between Woolwich and Abbey Wood via Thamesmead. We are aiming to make bus journeys faster, and to improve the area for people walking and cycling. We would like to hear your views.

By clicking on each of the buttons below, you can read more about what is proposed and how this may impact you. You can also view maps, ask questions, give feedback, and find out about other ways to get in touch and take part.

The consultation closes on Thursday 15 January 2026.

Proposals

We are proposing changes along the roads – we call this a ‘corridor’ - which run between Woolwich and Abbey Wood via Thamesmead. These are intended to make bus journeys along this route more efficient and attractive to customers – this includes the new SL11 express service which will start in early 2026. New bus lanes will provide priority for buses and help them to operate as reliably as possible.

We are also proposing improvements:

Around bus stops to make them more accessible, more spacious and easier to get to and from
Improved cycle facilities along the corridor to improve links with existing cycle networks
New pedestrian crossings are also proposed at key locations to help make walking around Thamesmead safer and more comfortable

It is hoped that these proposals will make using public transport or travelling on foot or bike a more attractive option for making journeys to, from and around Thamesmead.

It is proposed that all new bus lanes will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and also be available for use by cyclists and taxis.

The map below shows the route where we are proposing changes.

Click on map for larger version

You can find detailed maps of all the proposals by clicking on the 'Maps and more information' button.

We have separated our proposals out by road.

Plumstead Road/Pettman Crescent

We are proposing to change the junction of Plumstead Road and Pettman Crescent to allow traffic travelling towards Plumstead to continue east along Plumstead Road. This will remove the need for some vehicles to detour around Pettman Crescent, helping buses by reducing the amount of traffic sharing road space with buses on Pettman Crescent.

To do this, the central island would be changed to make space for an eastbound traffic lane, alongside the existing bus and cycle lanes. We would also introduce a segregated cycle lane for cyclists travelling eastwards between the existing cycle lane and Pettman Crescent.

You can view a map of the proposals here.

Western Way

We are proposing new bus lanes in both directions along Western Way. We would make space for this by reducing the size of the central reservation.

We also propose to change the kerblines around the junction with Belmarsh Way to improve access to the bus stops there.

Also proposed is a reduction in the speed limit on Western Way from 50mph to 40mph to improve safety along Western Way.

You can view a map of the proposals here.

Roundabout – Western Way, Eastern Way, Central Way, White Hart Avenue

We are proposing to continue the new eastbound bus lane from Western Way around the roundabout to join up with the existing bus lane on Central Way.

For pedestrians and cyclists, we are proposing new pedestrian and cycle crossings across the Eastern Way arm of the junction, which will link up with the existing paths.

To improve road safety, alongside speed limit reductions, we are proposing to reduce the size of the roundabout from three lanes to two lanes.

You can view a map of the proposals here.

Central Way

We are proposing a new ‘straight across’ pedestrian and cycle crossing close to the bus stops at the pedestrian access to Grasshaven Way and Floathaven Close.

We also propose new ‘parallel’ zebra crossings (which can be used by cyclists alongside pedestrians) across the exits from the roundabout to Barnham Drive and Birchdene Drive.

A parallel zebra crossing would also be installed across Twin Tumps Way, with a new signalised pedestrian and cycle crossing replacing the existing two-stage crossing across the eastern arm of Central Way close to the roundabout with Twin Tumps Way and Hutchins Road.

A second new signalised pedestrian crossing is proposed further to the east along Central Way, close to the roundabout with Bentham Road.

At Watersmeet Place (west of Hutchings Road and Twin Tumps Way) more pedestrian space will be created around the bus stops.

At the bus stop to the east of Twin Tumps Way, close to Thamesmead town centre, pedestrians would need to cross the cycle lane to reach the bus stop. Pedestrians would also need to cross the cycle lane to reach the pavement at the corner of Linton Mead. Mini-zebra crossings across the cycle lane would be provided to give pedestrians a safer option to do this.

A new section of bi-directional cycle lane along the north side of Central Way would link into existing cycle lanes. This would continue past Thamesmead Town Centre and link to Thamesmead North, completing a safe route for cyclists along Central Way and past the town centre for the first time.

We would also extend the existing bus lanes wherever possible.

You can view a map of the proposals here.

Carlyle Road

We are proposing to introduce new two-way cycle lanes at the roundabout of Central Way, Carlyle Road, Greenhaven Drive and Crossway, continuing along the western side of Carlyle Road.

We would also install parallel zebra crossings across the exits to Carlyle Road, Greenhaven Drive and Crossway, providing safe crossing points for both pedestrians and cyclists.

To the south of the roundabout junction of Carlyle Road with Crossway and Bentham Road we propose new bus lanes in both directions, with pavement buildouts improving access to the bus stops.

South of the Eastern Way junction, the London Borough of Bexley has recently upgraded Harrow Manorway where space permits, with new bus lanes, cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings.

You can view a map of the proposals here.

Return to the top of the page

Why?

Bus stop flag at Abbey Wood station

We are developing various proposals to improve transport in the Thamesmead area, in particular better links between Thamesmead North and the wider area. Residents using public transport in Thamesmead North typically need to use bus services in order to access the rest of the transport network, such as the Elizabeth line at Abbey Wood and Woolwich.

These proposals support our wider aims to make bus journeys across London more efficient and attractive. In addition, we are making improvements to bus stops, to walking routes, and to safe cycle infrastructure, to support passengers accessing the bus network, as well as those making other local trips on foot or by cycle. These changes complement the extension of Cycleway 4 to Woolwich, and other improvements to the local cycle network being planned by the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

An example of this is the introduction of the SL11 limited stop express service which will take place in January 2026. We want to make sure that SL11, as well as the SL3 express service and other buses which run along the main roads through Thamesmead, can run as efficiently as possible and provide an attractive and reliable service to customers. We also want to ensure we are ‘futureproofing’ bus services to accommodate increased demand from residents of new residential development in the area, by encouraging reduced reliance on private car use. This means providing new bus lanes where space allows, and reducing the flow of other traffic on Pettman Crescent where buses will continue to share road space with other traffic.

We are also proposing to extend the Docklands Light Railway to Thamesmead (DLR) to provide even better links to the transport network for existing residents as well as new residents which will move to the area as a result of the planned new homes. Provision of the DLR extension would complement the proposed improvement to bus services in the Thamesmead area.

We have worked closely with the Royal Borough of Greenwich in developing these proposals. The council is the highway authority for the roads involved so we have ensured that our plans are in line with their ambitions to improve buses, walking, cycling and road safety in the area.

Image of family boarding a bus Safety concerns have informed our work, such as reducing the speed limit on Western Way, reducing road space at the Western Way/Eastern Way/Central Way roundabout, improving and adding new pedestrian crossings, and adding more cycle facilities.

This area has seen a number of collisions in recent years, including serious and fatal ones. These proposals to reduce traffic speeds and increase provision for pedestrians and cyclists support our Vision Zero ambition to eliminate death and serious injury on London’s roads by 2041.

Return to the top of the page

How it may impact you

It is intended that these proposals will have largely positive impacts.

For bus passengers

Y Current bus stop at Watersmeet Place ou should experience faster and more reliable bus journeys as a result of the proposals.

We have included proposals intended to make bus stops more spacious and easier to access. At some locations this includes the use of bus stop by-passes, where bus users cross over a cycle lane to reach the bus stop and board the bus. This is infrastructure which we use across our bus network. Following a recent safety review we are satisfied that bus stop bypasses are a safe means to allow pedestrians to access bus services while offering protection for cycling. Our designs have been planned to be as safe as possible for bus users, including the use of mini-zebra crossings to access the bus stop islands.

For cyclists

You should find cycling around the Thamesmead area easier and more comfortable as you would be able to use the new cycle lanes away from general traffic.

For pedestrians

New pedestrian crossing facilities at various locations should mean you would find walking in the area more pleasant and comfortable, and accessing bus stops would be easier.

For car and other drivers

The proposals have been developed to minimise impacts on traffic capacity, with many roads in the area wide enough to accommodate both bus and cycle lanes and general traffic comfortably. A new direct route from Plumstead Road to Plumstead High Street would shorten some journeys, while freeing up road space on Pettman Crescent for our bus services.

For everyone

Reducing speed limits, adding new pedestrian crossings and cycling facilities is intended to improve general road safety along all the roads including in the proposals.

Other issues to be aware of

Image of bus stop with bypass We do not expect the proposals to have any impacts on deliveries and servicing needs in the area.

We also intend that the proposals will maintain efficient working of the highway network once new developments become occupied, by making use of local buses an attractive choice for residents and reducing reliance on private car use as much as possible.

We are keen to hear your views on the proposals and how they might affect you, whether positively or negatively.

We have prepared an Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) for these proposals.

Return to the top of the page

The consultation closes on Thursday 15 January 2026.

Proposals

We are also proposing improvements:

Around bus stops to make them more accessible, more spacious and easier to get to and from
Improved cycle facilities along the corridor to improve links with existing cycle networks
New pedestrian crossings are also proposed at key locations to help make walking around Thamesmead safer and more comfortable

It is hoped that these proposals will make using public transport or travelling on foot or bike a more attractive option for making journeys to, from and around Thamesmead.

It is proposed that all new bus lanes will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and also be available for use by cyclists and taxis.

The map below shows the route where we are proposing changes.

Click on map for larger version

You can find detailed maps of all the proposals by clicking on the 'Maps and more information' button.

We have separated our proposals out by road.