Plans for £23m bus service to link Elizabeth line stations moves forward

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

Plans for a £23million rapid bus link between two South London Elizabeth line stations have moved forward, with the scheme set to be consulted on early next year. 

The route would link Thamesmead to Elizabeth line services in Woolwich town centre and Abbey Wood.

Bexley council documents for a transport meeting on November 12 confirmed that council officers were engaging with Transport for London (TfL) on the new service. 

The scheme comes alongside a wider plan to improve transport in Thamesmead, such as the proposed DLR extension to the area, which was consulted on in February and March this year.

Council officers said in their report: “Prior to the extension of the DLR, the improvement of public transport to support housing growth in this area is to be achieved by a new bus rapid transit system between Woolwich and Abbey Wood station.”

They added: “Officers are continuing to engage with TfL on the design of this scheme, which is planned to be running by 2026 and will use the improved A2041 Harrow Manorway in our borough. 

“It is anticipated that TfL will undertake a public consultation on the proposed transit system early in the New Year.”

The express route was announced by the Government in the Autumn Statement last year and comes as part of the Docklands 2.0 project. Former Housing Secretary Michael Gove said the scheme could see tens of thousands of homes added along the River Thames.

TfL’s action plan for bus services published in March this year said the £23million of Government allocated funds for the rapid bus link project had to be spent by 2026. 

The transport authority previously stated that the new service, along with the Elizabeth line, would provide 8,000 new homes and 5,500 jobs to the area.

Pictured top: Abbey Wood Elizabeth line station (Picture: Google Street View)