TfL said that the inclusion of stops in Chingford on the SL1 route, set to launch later this year, is due to feedback received during consultation

By Marco Marcelline

A new express bus service from North Finchley to Walthamstow will include stops in Chingford, Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed.

Set to launch later this year, the Superloop 1 (SL1), will run alongside part of the existing route 221 between North Finchley and New Southgate and part of route 34 between Arnos Grove and Walthamstow.

The route includes stops at Crooked Billet, Walthamstow Bell Corner and Walthamstow Market, as well as Walthamstow Central which was already known to be the route’s terminus.

The route will stop at various rail stations including New Southgate, Arnos Grove, Silver Street and Walthamstow Central.

The “Superloop”, which is a ring of express bus routes connecting outer London boroughs, was first announced in May.

A consultation on the SL1 route, which closed on 21st July, received largely positive responses. According to TfL 79% of respondents said the existence of a direct bus route between North Finchley and Walthamstow would make their journey more convenient.

76% said it would make their journey quicker and 71% said they would be likely to use the route instead of using a private car.

TfL said that the inclusion of stops in Chingford on the SL1 route is due to positive feedback during the consultation round.

At North Finchley, the SL1 route will connect with the Superloop 10 (SL10), a route that connects North Finchley to Harrow via Hendon.

At Walthamstow Central, the SL1 route will connect with the Superloop 2 (SL2), which will take riders to the Royal Docks and include stops in Gants Hill, Ilford, Barking and Gallions Reach. The SL2 has just finished consultation.

Buses on the SL1 and SL2 routes are set to run every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday, and every 15 minutes on evenings and Sundays. The SL2 will share parts of the route with the 123 bus, and at stops used by both the SL2 and 123, there will be a combined frequency of around 11 buses per hour during daytime Monday to Saturday.

TfL has said it is currently working closely with bus operators to confirm exact launch dates for the SL1 and SL2.

A map of the proposed Superloop express bus network
Credit: Transport for London

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Londoners can already ride on Superloop buses and I can’t wait for these two brand new routes to join them, providing quicker links between transport hubs, town centres, schools and hospitals in outer London.

“It’s great to see large numbers of Londoners saying these new routes could replace private car journeys, offering even more sustainable transport options and helping to build a better, fairer and greener London for all.”

Geoff Hobbs, TfL’s director of public transport service planning, said: “These two new services will be a significant addition to the bus network, providing additional bus services in busy transport hubs and locations across the north London area, as well as offering more travel options connecting to numerous other bus routes.

“As well as a new look and feel of the buses, the new SL1 and SL10 express bus services will provide cleaner, cost-effective, sustainable options for those making journeys in outer London. We’ll be working closely with operators and other partners to introduce these new routes as quickly as possible, to improve public transport options and maximise the benefits of the recent expansion of ULEZ.”

Michael Roberts, chief executive of London TravelWatch, said: “We’re encouraged to see that Superloop bus routes 1 and 10 will be introduced by TfL towards the end of this year. These orbital express bus services are much-needed, especially now that ULEZ has expanded to outer London boroughs such as Harrow, Barnet and Waltham Forest.”

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