Transport for London (TfL) has revealed plans for its latest Superloop route in east London, the SL12.
Services would operate seven days a week, with stops in Gants Hill, Newbury Park, Romford, Elm Park, Rainham and Ferry Lane.
Passengers can expect a bus every 12 minutes during the day on weekdays and Saturdays, and every 15 minutes in the evening and on Sundays.
The route is the third to be announced in the second wave of proposed Superloop services, following what transport bosses describe as the “success” of the initial ten routes.
Bus SL12 would provide areas in east London not already linked by the rail network with connections to SL2, as well as Tube, Overground and Elizabeth line services, TfL says.
Other benefits of the scheme that have been touted include quicker access to shopping in Romford, a direct connection between King George Hospital and Queens Hospital, and new services into the Ferry Lane industrial estate, which is currently not part of the bus network.
The proposed SL12 Superloop route (Image: TfL)
If implemented, the new bus route would need to terminate in Gants Hill at Perth Road, which would require changes to the existing road layout.
Ray Morgon, leader of Havering Council, said: “We are pleased to be working with TfL on a proposed SL12 Superloop route in the borough, something our residents really need and want.
“This will help towards improving our north south connectivity. The success of the Superloop speaks for itself and because of this, we would like more coverage of the borough.”
Services on the tenth Superloop route SL4 between Canary Wharf and Grove Park will start running on April 7 when the Silvertown Tunnel opens.
TfL has also proposed a ‘Bakerloop’ express bus which would connect the areas between Elephant & Castle and Lewisham that are earmarked for the Bakerloo line extension.
A consultation is also already underway on proposals for route SL11, which would run between Abbey Wood and North Greenwich, via Thamesmead and Woolwich.
Although these are the only confirmed additions to the existing Superloop network, the London mayor has previously released a map showing where further routes could go.
In east London, this could include another new route between Stratford and Barnet via Walthamstow, Chingford and Enfield.
A consultation on route SL12 has been launched, with local people asked to share their views until May 23.
