
South-east London is getting a new rapid bus route
The loop's route essentially just traces that of the proposed (and still unfunded) Bakerloo line extension we've all been dreaming of, zipping between Waterloo and Lewisham via Elephant & Castle, Old Kent Road and New Cross Gate. Basically, it's an answer to that age old problem of trying to get anywhere from south-east London. Thank God.
The new route comes off the back of a public consultation, which found overwhelming support for the BL1: 82 percent of respondents said it'd be more convenient, and 79 percent reckoned it'd get them there faster. The people have spoken – and TfL listened, albeit with one tiny tweak. A planned stop in Lewisham's Station Road has been scrapped to keep the journey swift and streamlined.
The Bakerloop is set to run every 12 minutes from Monday to Saturday, then every 15 minutes during off-peak hours and on Sundays. So, soon there'll be no excuse not to visit those arty friends of yours who never leave New Cross.
This is the first central London route to join the Superloop network—a now fully operational system of rapid orbital buses designed to connect outer London without the faff of switching trains. And yes, we've already waxed lyrical about its southeast expansion here, so naturally we're thrilled to see it taking shape.
But the Bakerloop isn't just about getting from A to B. It's a not-so-subtle nudge toward that long-promised Bakerloo line extension - an upgrade that Lewisham locals have been desperately campaigning for. While the Tube extension remains stalled in budgetary limbo, BL1 is here to prove that south-east London deserves better, faster transport, whether it's underground, overground or Bakerlooping free. Yes, that's a Wombles reference in 2025.
So, while the government and TfL keep negotiating the future of the Bakerloo line, at least one thing's clear: the loop is coming. And this autumn, you'll be able to hop on board.
.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
London's US Embassy owes £15,600,000 in congestion charges
The US Embassy and 144 other diplomatic missions have been named and shamed for owing £161 million in London congestion charges. We have all been there – trying to avoid paying a fine and hoping it will just go away. But when you are the diplomatic representative of a superpower like the US and owe millions, the pressure is on. Embassies from 145 countries have racked up around £161 million in unpaid congestion charges, the latest TfL figures show. But dozens of embassies are refusing to pay up, despite TfL insisting that the congestion charge is for a service and not a tax, meaning foreign officials are not exempt under diplomatic law. Here is a list of the top 10 worst offenders. The transport authority released its annual naughty list showing who owes the most. The worst offender for unpaid charges is the US, which owes around £15.6 million, accumulated between 2003 and June 30, 2025. Second on the list is the Japanese embassy with around £10.76 million in debt. China has moved to the third spot this year thanks to its £10.71 debt, surpassing Nigeria and India. Russia hovers in sixth spot, with around £6.1 million in unpaid congestion charges. TfL said: 'The majority of embassies in London do pay the charge, but there remains a stubborn minority who refuse to do so, despite our representations through diplomatic channels.' London is home to around 168 diplomatic missions, including embassies, consulates and high commissions. The latest list comes less than two months before Donald Trump is expected to land in the UK for his official state visit. Rumours are also swirling that the US President will visit Scotland this week as the second course at his golf club in Aberdeenshire opens. A TfL spokesperson told Metro: 'Foreign diplomats and consular staff are not exempt from paying the Congestion Charge. More Trending 'We continue to pursue all unpaid Congestion Charges and related penalty charge notices.' Motorists have to pay the £15 daily congestion charge if they drive within the CC zone during the busiest times of the day – and this includes diplomats. The congestion charge, designed to discourage traffic during the peak travel times in central London, is set to rise to £18 from next year. It is different to the Ultra Low Emission Zone fee, which generally applies to older cars not compliant with the Ulez standards in Greater London. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: The 'best' restaurant in the US is officially coming to London MORE: 'A bus driver killed my daughter but I still blame myself because of one decision' MORE: Mum-of-six reserves sun beds then leaves resort to go shopping and get breakfast


Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Summer getaway hell warning with 21MILLION drivers hitting roads from today – check map of Britain's busiest motorways
The school summer holidays start today, with millions of families set to hit the roads DRIVERS have been issued a huge warning as 21 million motorists are set to descend on the roads from today. With most UK schools set to break up for the summer today, July 23, many parents will be gearing up to take the kids on UK breaks or trips abroad. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The roads are set to get extremely busy from today Credit: Getty 2 These are the five busiest motorways in the UK Credit: Welcome BReak Cramming all of your luggage into the car and keeping the kids entertained for hours on end can be a nightmare for mums and dads. And this is only exacerbated when your vehicle is crawling in a seemingly never-ending stream of traffic. Approximately 21 million drivers are thought to be hitting the motorways from today, until the end of the school holidays, on August 29. If you're keen for a road trip over the next few weeks, but want to avoid gridlock, Welcome Break has revealed which of the UK's motorways will be the busiest this summer. 1. M11 in London/Hertfordshire The M11 is a major motorway used by millions of motorists travelling to and from the East of England. It is a popular route for those jetting off from Stanstead airport, however you may want to consider getting the train instead, as this has been named the UK's busiest motorway. 2. M40, Oxfordshire Second on the list is the M40, in Oxfordshire, which families may use to travel through the countryside between London and Birmingham. It's a handy route, but you might want to think of an alternative to avoid being stuck in traffic. 3. M43, Hampshire In fourth place is the M3, which stretches across the south-west of England. Brits commonly use the motorway to travel to seaside spots along the south coast. Moment wrong-way driver flies down motorway into traffic for FIVE MILES 4. M40, Warwickshire Taking the fourth spot is the M40, in Warwickshire which is a popular route for those driving down to the Cotswolds for a scenic break. Motorists might prefer taking a more scenic route though, to avoid gridlock. 5. M25, Home Counties Finally, the M25, which loops its way around London, is fifth on the list. The road is used by Londoners flocking out of the city for the summer, and tourists flooding in to the city, but any drivers using this route should be warned of huge queues this summer. How to make travelling with kids a breeze IT can be stressful travelling with kids, but there are a few things you can do to make it easier. Here's five we'd recommend: Snacks It might sound simple, but it's a good idea to pack a LOT of snacks. Think of how much you might need, and double it. After all, it doesn't matter if you have too much - your kids can eat it another time - but it will be a big issue if you run out. There are also snack boxes with lots of little dividers that are great for long journeys as kids can pick at those throughout. Entertainment This covers a whole range of things - from a tablet to watch films or play games if you've got older kids, to books and colouring. It's advisable to pack a variety of options, especially if you're on a long journey or have various legs on your haul. Toys If you've got a baby or a toddler, there are some sensory-type toys you can buy that can really help keep little ones entertained. These include ones that you stick on the windows of a plane, or on a tray on a highchair, that they can spin and play with to their hearts' content. Equipment There are a whole host of things on the market that aim to make sleeping on a plane loads easier. These include a hammock that you can attack to your tray which hangs down to put your feet on. You can also get blow up cushions to turn a seat into a bed for littles, and neck cushions that boast you will be able to use for a decent night's sleep wherever you are. Yourselves! Don't underestimate how entertaining you are to your kids. Learn some games you can play with them, and songs you can sing, as kids always love the opportunity to have one-on-one time with their parents. Tips for avoiding traffic on the motorways Welcome Break has shared some top tips for avoiding congestion this summer, including advising travellers to leave before 7:30am, or after 7pm, to miss peak hours. It also advises travelling on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, as these are the quietest days, and using Google Maps to check out real-time traffic.


Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Drivers are risking fines costing THOUSANDS when they drive in Europe this summer
As thousands of British motorists prepare to drive across mainland Europe this summer, experts have warned of three common mistakes that could result in costly fines. It comes after a national survey by The Motor Ombudsman revealed over 70 per cent of UK drivers are unaware of some mandatory road requirements when driving to Spain and France. The research shows over two thirds of motorists aged 17 to 28 will be driving on the right side of the road for the first time - and almost one in three admit they don't feel confident doing so. Ranking as the least self-assured region is Scotland, with over half of first-time drivers confessing they don't feel ready to drive on the right-hand side, while a whopping 79 per cent of Londoners maintain a more positive stance. The data highlighted some costly gaps in knowledge, as 59 per cent of drivers admitted they did not know it's mandatory in many European countries to carry emergency equipment, such as high-vis jackets and warning triangles, while driving. In France, drivers who cannot produce these items on request can incur a fine of up to €750. Additionally, 30 per cent of respondents said they were unaware of sat-navs, speed camera detectors and similar apps are illegal in some European countries. In Spain, drivers risk a fine of up to €6,000 if they're caught with such apps installed on their devices, and in France, their vehicles could potentially get confiscated. Meanwhile, 70 per cent of survey participants admitted being either unsure or uninformed of environment rules regarding pre-purchased windscreen stickers for low-emission zones. In Germany, this can result in a fine of up to €80, and in France, a fine of up to €135. One Leeds-based driver, Will, found out the hard way after driving abroad with a pre-purchased sticker while driving abroad. He said: 'The signage was a bit unfamiliar, and I didn't know the routes well. On one occasion, I forgot to display the correct low-emission zone sticker on the windscreen when driving through a city. 'Not long after, I received a fine for that oversight - a mistake that could have been avoided with a bit more preparation. Will admitted that had he taken a 'few minutes' to familiarise himself with some of the routes he would be travelling on, he would have avoided the fine. To help Brits stay one step ahead and avoid unnecessary fines on European roads this summer, The Motor Ombudsman, which recently launched an online hub packed with advice, has issued some essential tips. They urge British drivers to pack their UK identifier sticker, as GB stickers are no longer accepted in Europe. Many European cities also require motorists to display an official low-emission sticker, so it's best to order these well in advance. Finally, motorists are advised to double-check tyre pressure units as most air machines on the continent use BAR instead of PSI - a car's manual or door frame should always show recommended levels. Will Fennell, Chief Ombudsman and Managing Director at The Motor Ombudsman, said: 'Driving in Europe offers real freedom and flexibility, but it's clear from the research that some drivers are setting off unprepared.' Will added: 'From speed limits to mandatory equipment and emission zone rules, there's a lot to consider - and ignoring the details can quickly turn a relaxing break into an expensive headache.'