The Anonymous Widower

Silvertown Tunnel Bus Network Proposals

This web page is the Silvertown Tunnel Bus Network Proposals.

These proposals are made.

• A new high frequency, limited stop service between Grove Park and Canary Wharf referred to in this consultation as route X239
• To extend route 129 (Lewisham – North Greenwich) north across the river to Great Eastern Quay via the Royal Docks development zone
• A minor change to route 108 so that it uses the new Millennium Way slip road to exit the Blackwall Tunnel southbound
• We are also seeking your views on route options for three sections of routes 129 and X239.

It looks like route 108 will continue to use the current stop.

The proposals include this map.

I copied this map from the TfL web site, as they don’t provide one for people who want or need to use it.

These are my observations.

The 108 Bus

The 108 seems to be more or less as now and will be continue to be run by a single-decker bus, as double-decker buses can’t use the Blackwall Tunnel.

North of the Thames, the 108 calls at these stations.

• Stratford International for DLR and National Rail.
• Stratford for DLR, Central, Elizabeth and Jubilee Lines, and National Rail.
• Bow Church for DLR
• Devons Road for DLR
• Langdon Park for the DLR
• Bazely Street (All Saints) for DLR

South of the Thames, the 108 calls at these stations.

• North Greenwich for the Jubilee Line.
• Westcombe Park for National Rail
• Blackheath for National Rail
• Lewisham for DLR and National Rail

Note.

1. It is possible to go between Lewisham and Stratford on the DLR with a change at Canary Wharf.
2. It is possible to go between North Greenwich and Stratford on the Jubilee Line.
3. Westcombe Park station is on the Greenwich Line.

I would wonder, if many people use this bus route for long distances.

The 129 Bus

Note.

1. The 129 appears to connect Lewisham and Greenwich to the City Airport and the Becton branch of the DLR.
2. Many journeys on the 129 bus, might be easier using the DLR, with a change at Westferry or Poplar, which is probably what travellers do now.
3. The 129 bus is shown on the map with a stop at Silvertown. Does that mean that it could connect with a Silvertown station on the Elizabeth Line?
4. As the 129 bus will pass through the larger Silvertown Tunnel, it could be a double-decker route, instead of the current single-decker.

North of the Thames, the 129 calls at these stations.

• Gallions Reach for the DLR
• Beckton for the DLR
• Royal Albert for the DLR
• London City Airport for the DLR
• Silvertown
• Pontoon Dock for the DLR
• West Silvertown for the DLR

South of the Thames, the 129 calls at these stations.

• North Greenwich for the Jubilee Line.
• Cutty Sark for DLR
• Greenwich for DLR and National Rail
• Lewisham for DLR and National Rail

Would improvements and a frequency increase to the DLR and the building of Silvertown station, mean that changes to the 129 bus route, would not be so important?

The X329 Bus

Note.

1. Canary Wharf must be served and starting at Westferry Circus is probably a good choice.
2. But is Grove Park station, the ideal Southern terminal?
3. Not stopping the X329 bus at North Greenwich is probably correct, as North Greenwich station is a large Jubilee Line and bus interchange close to the O2.

North of the Thames, the X329 calls at these stations.

• Canary Wharf for DLR and Elizabeth and Jubilee Lines

South of the Thames, the X329 calls at these stations.

• Blackheath for National Rail
• Lee for National Rail
• Grove Park for National Rail

Note.

1. Blackheath station is on the Bexleyheath and North Kent Lines.
2. Lee station is on the Dartford Loop Line.
3. Grove Park station is on the South Eastern Man Line.
4. Grove Park has a bus station, where there could be space for a battery charger for electric buses.

The X329 seems to have been partly designed on the premise, that an express bus should be run through the Silvertown Tunnel. But it does connect four of the rail lines going into London terminals to Canary Wharf.

Silvertown Station For London City Airport

Silvertown station would more than double the number of stations with easy routes to the London City Airport.

The Elizabeth Line would enable the direct connection that is needed to Canary Wharf, the City of London, Heathrow, Liverpool Street and Paddington stations and the West End.

• A single change at Abbey Wood, would give access to much of Kent.
• A single change at Farringdon, would give access to Thameslink services and Gatwick and Luton airports.
• Around 2030, a single change at Old Oak Common, would give access to High Speed Two services.
• A single change at Paddington, would give access to Wales and West services.
• A single change at Whitechapel, would give access to the great circle of the London Overground.

I believe the case for a Silvertown station with at least a good walking route to the London City Airport is strong, and the station would be a marvellous asset for Silvertown and the Airport.

January 7, 2023 Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Blackwall Tunnel, Buses, Canary Wharf, Cannon Street Station, Charing Cross Station, Docklands Light Railway, Grove Park Station, Jubilee Line, Lewisham Station, London Bridge Station, London Bus 108, London Bus 129, London Bus X329, London City Airport, Luton Airport, North Greenwich Station, O2 Arena, Orpington Station, Pollution, Silvertown Tunnel, Thameslink | 2 Comments