TfL Superloop express bus network with shorter journey times to …
The Mayor of London announced new plans for an express bus network to be developed yesterday (March 28) which will impact Essex commuters. Saqid Khan unveiled The Superloop proposal, which would connect key places in different London boroughs to create a circular loop route around the capital.
The £6m bus route aims to further improve bus services in the capital after he vowed to add a million kilometres to outer London’s bus network during the same time of the ULEZ expansion in November 2022.
The scheme is expected to be introduced in stages with some existing bus routes joining the orbital circuit. Future developments could include a limited stop express link between Walthamstow and Royal Docks via Ilford.
TfL has confirmed works is already underway to provide the first developments of the one million kilometres addition to this bus network. Mr Khan, said: “When I made the tough decision to expand the ULEZ London-wide, one of my key commitments to Londoners was to improve transport links in outer London.
“Today I am delivering on that commitment as we announce the Superloop, the game-changing new network of express buses that will add over four million additional kilometres to our bus network in outer London, linking stations, town centres, hospitals and transport hubs. These new routes will make it much easier for Londoners to get around the capital, and help build a better, greener London for everyone.”
So how will these plans affect Essex? EssexLive has outlined the effects of the latest TfL developments. Read below for more information.
How will the latest TfL plans affect Essex
Part of the Superloop route will run through Walthamstow to Royals Docks. The line will consist of Walthamstow, Ilford, and Royal Docks.
However, four consultations were launched to outline bus service changes earlier this month according to TfL[2]. These consultations include Harold Wood/Upminster, which could lead to two bus routes axed to “simplify the local bus network.”
This proposal consists of extending the 497 services from Harold Wood to Upminster to replace routes 346 and 347. Route 346 currently runs through Upminster Station to Upminster Park and the 347 route operates from Ockendon Station to Romford.
The 497 currently runs through Harold Wood Station to Dagnam Park Square and the extension proposal to Upminster will cause these two lines to be defuncted.