New bus route to join London's 194km Superloop expansion
A new bus route named the 'Bakerloop' is set to improve transport connections in south- east London and will launch for passengers this autumn.
The express bus service will connect Waterloo station to Elephant and Castle and Lewisham, and will run via Old Kent Road, Burgess Park and New Cross Gate.
It is set to mirror the proposed Bakerloo tube line extension route, and is part of the Superloop network expansion, a 194km network of bus services that has improved transport in the city's suburbs.
Consultation on the BL1 route closed on 14 March, with Transport for London (TfL) stating that it received mostly positive support from residents.
Geoff Hobbs, TfL's director of public transport service planning, said: "It is great to see support for the 'Bakerloop' express bus running between Waterloo and Lewisham which would enable us to improve public transport connectivity and capacity between southeast London and central London by delivering some of the same benefits that the Bakerloo line extension would.'
The BL1 is due to operate every 12 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytimes, and then every 15 minutes during Sundays, evenings and early mornings.
Feedback from local stakeholders and residents found that 82 per cent agreed the route would be more convenient, and 79 per cent said it would result in a quicker bus journey time.
The mayor of Lewisham Brenda Dacres said: "Lewisham welcomes the launch of the Bakerloop bus and thanks the Mayor and TfL for taking action to address the long-standing transport gap in south east London.
'But this must be just the beginning. With growing public support, we will continue to press for the Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension - a game-changing project that will mean faster journeys and new opportunities for our community as well as thousands of homes, jobs and economic growth unlocked for the UK."
Three other routes have also been proposed, which would travel between Ealing Broadway and Hendon, Stratford and Chingford Hatch and Clapham Junction and Elham station.
Consultations for all three are set to begin in autumn.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
Wimbledon residents ‘not even allowed plumbers' during tournament
An elderly man living next to Centre Court says Wimbledon has cut him off from visitors, with barriers, security staff and red tape making simple tasks like calling a plumber near-impossible. Mikael Grut, 92, a former civil servant who suffers from Parkinson's disease and kyphosis, lives in Burghley House, a residential block overlooking the All England Club. During the Championships, access to his building is restricted by two vehicle checkpoints, one operated by Merton Council and the other by tournament organisers. 'There are times when we need someone at the drop of a hat, it complicates life,' he said. 'They even told us if we need a plumber, to get it done before the tennis.' Mr Grut said all guests must be registered in advance, with residents emailing the estate office so letters can be physically posted on their behalf. 'I can't get to the post office, so I have to email them and ask them to send it for me,' he said. His carer, Conchita del Campo, 71, said: 'It's like Brazil, you've got gated communities. 'I had to call ahead, and Mikael had to submit my car details so I could get through the barriers.' 'It's like being in lockdown again,' Mr Grut added. 'There are two checkpoints, and someone is always there.' Despite the building being used for Wimbledon filming from its top floor, residents are not offered tickets to the tournament. 'We should charge them,' Ms del Campo joked. Mr Grut, who has three children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, said: 'There's some pride in living somewhere famous, people say, 'Oh, you come from Wimbledon'. 'But it's not easy during the tennis.'
BBC News
16 hours ago
- BBC News
BBC Verify Live: New satellite images show vehicles and activity at Iran nuclear site
Update: Date: 09:33 BST Title: Welcome to Monday's BBC Verify Live Content: Rob CorpBBC Verify Live editor Good morning from BBC Verify Live - our daily updates on the work of our fact-checkers, video verifiers, disinformation debunkers and data journalists. Following our morning meeting this is what we're going to be looking at today: If you've seen something you think BBC Verify should investigate then contact us via this form.
Times
a day ago
- Times
From the archive: Bargemen sail into history
From The Times: June 30, 2025 The Thames bargeman, butt of wits and inspiration of old song-writers, is going out with the tide. Sails are being superseded by motors, and slow craft by more speedy. The change was inevitable, but when the old-fashioned barge has disappeared, the river will have lost some of its pretty variety. The barge's beauty has beckoned to many of our marine artists, who have depicted them in ballast, or so heavily laden that their decks are almost awash, or towering high with hay. Nowadays, indeed, a barge with bulky cargo is easier found in a picture than on the river. Bigger vessels bear off the bigger loads, and there is always the railway and motor lorry to offer quicker transport. Yet, with a fair wind and a heavy freight, there is no cheerier being than the Thames bargee, though he will not stand nonsense from those who are independent of the wind. A question of the 'rule of the road' has caused many a heated argument between bargeman and 'brass bound' skipper, perched high on the bridge of a passing tramp-steamers. And seldom has the bargee been scant of words or lost the palm for thrustful repartee. Whenever the time comes for the river to be bereft of sailing-barges, none will be more thankful than masters of tramp-steamers and others of their kind. These dignitaries are apt to forget that the type which mans the barges helped to make London the chief city of the Empire long before steam was thought of. While yet we have the barge with us, it might be well to revive the races between Gravesend and the Nore. Until about 14 years ago they were an annual feature. It was the day of the year when the barges looked their best, with hulls showing a lavish use of tar, blacklead, and paint, and sails testifying to abundant treatment with red ochre. All the waterside workers and their wives and families were there; and of musical instruments as many as could be carried. With a fair wind there was always the chance of excitement. Great was the applause when a favourite by clever tactics managed to 'blanket' a rival. The race called for expert seamanship and quick decision, barges when light being rather difficult to handle; a moment's hesitation in a turn of the helm or in easing halliards might have serious consequences. Explore 200 years of history as it appeared in the pages of The Times, from 1785 to 1985:
