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| Map of the proposed Bakerloop BL1 - TfL Image |
Transport for London has opened the consultation for the Bakerloop BL1, which is proposed to run from Waterloo to Lewisham town centre via Elephant & Castle. TfL is beginning to fulfill the Mayor's manifesto commitment to expand the Superloop express bus services.
BL1 – Proposed express bus route between Waterloo and Lewisham town centre#TfL has launched a consultation on the ‘Bakerloop’ express bus, linking areas from Waterloo to Lewisham via Elephant & Castle. The new route, building on the #Superloop, aims to improve travel in south-east #London. Feedback is open until 14 March 2025. tfl-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/bakerlo...
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) January 31, 2025 at 4:20 PM
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The BL1 Bakerloop would run:
• Seven days a week
• Operating between 05:00 and 00:30 (it would not operate through the night)
• Every 12 minutes during the daytime from Monday to Saturday
• Every 15 minutes in the evenings and on Sundays
In line with what is proposed for a future Bakerloo line extension, the BL1 Bakerloop would start and stop at Waterloo, via the following key transport interchanges and town centres: Waterloo, Elephant & Castle, Burgess Park (Dunton Road), Old Kent Road (Ilderton Road), New Cross Gate, Lewisham station and town centre.
The route aims to create new and direct journey links between Elephant & Castle and Lewisham; and easier connections between London Underground, London Overground, DLR, National Rail and other bus routes. 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.
You can let us know what you think of these proposals by completing our survey.
At Waterloo we think the BL1 would start and stop on Waterloo Road, at the same bus stops that route 172 does now. This is for ease of access, including step-free access to Tube and National Rail services.
In Elephant & Castle it is proposed the BL1 would stop on both sides of the junction, at London Road and New Kent Road.
The bus stop at London Road aims to provide convenient access to the Bakerloo line at Elephant & Castle Tube station.
The bus stop at New Kent Road aims to provide convenient access to both the Northern line at Elephant & Castle Tube station and National Rail services from Elephant & Castle train station.
In Lewisham we expect the BL1 would use the same bus stops as route 21 between Lewisham High Street and Lewisham Station/Loampit Vale. This aims to maximise opportunities to connect with other popular public transport services.
The closing date for comments is Friday 14 March 2025.
You can participate in the consultation here.
The routing for the BL1 is similar to the 53X, which operated from Oxford Circus to Plumstead Common via Elephant & Castle from 1988 to 1992. It is also similar to the X53, which ran from Oxford Circus to Thamesmead Bentham Road via Elephant & Castle from 1993 to 2000.
Furthermore, the X15, which operated from Aldwych to Beckton starting in 1989, was replaced by the extended DLR service in 1995.
Similarly, the X30, which ran from West Croydon to New Addington from 1987, was replaced by Tramlink in 2000.
In addition, TfL has added a new page to the consultation website, as they plan to propose more Superloop bus routes. |
| Map of the Superloop with proposal for new routes BL1, SL11 and SL12 |
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 be renumbered as route SL11 and operate as an express service
• Route SL12 - Rainham, Ferry Lane to Gants Hill via Romford
Proposals for route SL11 and route SL12 will be subject to consultation in spring 2025.
You can read more about it here.
The routing for SL11 is similar to the Greenwich Waterfront Transit proposal from around 20 years ago. Unfortunately, it was never implemented, as the proposal was dropped in the late 2000s.
Who remembers that during the 2000s, Transport for London proposed schemes to improve transport services? Greenwich Waterfront Transit Thames Gateway Transit (as part of proposed Thames Gateway Bridge) Cross River Tram West London Tram
— CLondoner92 (@clondoner92.bsky.social) January 31, 2025 at 12:18 PM
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I would like to extend an invite for you to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) for transport-related updates. You can find me by searching for @CLondoner92 or by clicking on the direct link to my X page here. I am also present on BlueSky and Mastodon. I look forward to connecting with you on these platforms. Thank you for your support.
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