Lewisham Superloop bus route BL1 to Waterloo sees TfL consultation
Transport for London have launched a consultation for an express Superloop route between Lewisham and Wateroo following the route of any future Bakerloo line extension.
The “Bakerloop” route named BL1 would follow the general route of a tube extension running between Elephant and Castle to Lewisham however run a bit longer at each end.
The consultation – visible here – gives details of the plan and runs until 14 March.
Lewisham
The BL1 would start in Lewisham town centre rather than at the station as naturally a tube route would (if it ever happens).
The area below is the start point to be precise not too far from the library. Currently a bit of a building site due to major £24 million public realm works (see about that here), buses would depart for the clocktower then onto the station.
This would serve a number of new developments as well as those planned in future, such as the rebuilt shopping centre with more than 2,300 homes proposed.
It’d also assist those moving to new homes near the station such as recently completed Lewisham Gateway.
New Cross Gate
Heading past Lewisham and the BL1 would be non-stopping to New Cross Gate.
A stop here links with Southeastern and London Overground services. There’s no great housing scheme due here soon. Sainsbury’s did previously unveil a proposal for 1,500 homes on their large retail shed and car park but withdrew.
Lewisham Council also have a substantial plot of public land they’ve not built upon for 16 years and counting at the Besson Street site.
A total of 324 homes are planned – one day – if Lewisham Council ever get moving.
Old Kent Road
Then it’s onto the section that the Bakerloo line is supposed to one day support in the building of 20,000 new homes.
A fair few of them are already underway at the southern end. Not too long ago I travelled along the road by bus to see how development sites were shaping up.
In typical fashion the post is still on the “to do” pile but photos are to hand. One such site is the old Aldi supermarket.
The junction with Ilderton Road sees many plots underway now including along Ilderton Road itself.
Other smaller infill sites around here include a plot recently covered on this site. It’s another that’s been vacant for many, many years.
Notable recent completions in the southern part of the Old Kent Road include 267 student rooms on an old KFC drive-through.
Nearby sees a gasholder site with housing plans. The image below also shows another tower on Ilderton Road to the rear.
Burgess Park
The next proposed bus stop is up by Burgess Park.
Up at this point some development is underway near the Asda site. This is a student site almost ready to welcome its first residents
Berkeley Homes are also restarting a major site here located next door and known as Bermondsey Place featuring 1,400 homes.
Berkeley bought the land 11 years ago but have yet to complete a single home. That may finally change after being given a loan by government agency Homes England.
Elephant and Castle
And then it’s onto yet another major growth area at the Elephant and Castle.
Buses won’t terminate here but carry on to Waterloo.
Major developments underway here includes homes and shops on the former shopping centre site as seen above.
Buses here will link with the Bakerloo line’s current terminus as well as the Northern line and Thameslink trains.
Then it’s a short hop down to Waterloo where the BL1 terminates.
Buses aren’t at extremely high frequencies with TfL stating operation every 12 minutes during the daytime from Monday to Saturday and every 15 minutes during evenings and on Sundays.
Clearly there’s scope to improve that should it be needed with mass development on the way in Lewisham as well as along the Old Kent Road and Elephant and Castle.
Buses are expected to commence operation in autumn 2025.
