Superloop 2 bus proposed to replace 472 route

A consultation into a new Superloop express bus service linking several neighbourhoods across south-east London has opened.

The proposed SL11 route would run from the O2 in North Greenwich to Abbey Wood station, with limited stops along the way in Charlton, Woolwich, Plumstead and Thamesmead.

It forms part of mayor Sir Sadiq Khan's Superloop 2 network – a new collection of express services promised in his re-election manifesto last year to complement the original Superloop network, which launched in 2023.

According to Transport for London (TfL), the SL11 would follow the same route "as the 472 does now, except for Woolwich town centre, where its route would be more direct".

The 472 is the bus route where a teenage boy was fatally stabbed 27 times earlier this year.

It would mean the 472 bus being scrapped and effectively replaced by the SL11 – except for during the night, when the N472 would continue to run.

The SL11 would only operate between 05:00 and midnight.

It is also hoped that the bus service would support the early stages of regeneration plans in Thamesmead, which is one of London's hardest-to-reach areas due to the lack of any Tube or railway services.

The new Superloop route is being looked at alongside existing proposals to extend the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) from Gallions Reach, with new stations at Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead.

The SL11 would utilise double-decker buses with USB charging points and would link up with the existing SL3 route that runs from Thamesmead down to Bromley.

At the end of January, the mayor also detailed his plans for the "Bakerloop" bus service, which will follow the route of the proposed Bakerloo line extension from Elephant and Castle down to Lewisham.

That route is similarly being consulted on, with feedback on the proposal welcomed until 14 March.

Geoff Hobbs, TfL's director of public transport service planning, said buses "are still the most affordable and green way to travel around the capital".

He added: "We are committed to working closely with the relevant boroughs to ensure these express bus routes work for all communities, as well as complementing the growth plans of these local authorities."

Averil Lekau, Greenwich Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for transport, said: "A faster and more reliable bus service will encourage increased public transport usage, which is essential to cutting carbon emissions and achieving our target of reaching net zero emissions by 2030."

The SL11 consultation runs until Sunday 13 April.

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