The limited-stop express route will improve transport connections in North East London
Transport for London has confirmed another Superloop bus route will launch next year after receiving strong public backing. The SL14 will provide faster connections between Stratford and Chingford Hatch, also stopping in Leyton, St James’s Street and Blackhorse Road stations along the way.
TfL said 83 per cent of people who responded to a consultation thought the route would be more convenient for them, while 81 per cent said it would speed up current journey times. As part of these plans the D8 bus route will be diverted after its junction with Stratford High Street and Warton Road onto Stratford City Bus station where it will start and end.
Geoff Hobbs, TfL’s director of public transport service planning, said: “We welcome the positive response to the consultation of the new SL14 express route. This service will play an important role in improving connections and reducing journey times across east and northeast London. Work has now begun to prepare the SL14 for operation, with the goal of introducing the service in 2027. We’ll let our customers know ahead of the launch so keep your eyes peeled for more news soon.”
The Superloop network first launched in 2023 to improve public transport in underserved parts of Outer London. This was against the backdrop of expanding ULEZ to all 32 boroughs which received strong backlash among drivers.
Although TfL’s plans for the SL14 have been heavily supported by residents across North East London, some questioned why it wasn’t being extended further to Chingford station. Respondents said Chingford Hatch does not benefit from great transport connections, while at Chingford station bus passengers would get a direct interchange with the Weaver line.
TfL said it has explored these plans, but said more buses would be required to operate the route if it was extended. Transport bosses added the SL14 could not terminate at Chingford station if other local routes were not changed, with the 97 already providing a connection between Stratford and Chingford.
Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said: “The Mayor and I are pleased to see TfL pressing ahead with plans to launch a new SL14 express bus route next year, following strong public backing. This new route will improve bus services and journey times for Londoners across east and northeast London, building on the success of the Mayor’s game-changing Superloop to further boost transport links in previously under-served areas as we continue building a fairer, greener, better city for everyone.”
Other Superloop routes set to launch in 2026 and 2027
In January Sir Sadiq Khan launched the SL11 between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood via Thamesmead. The SL12 between Gants Hill and Rainham has also been given the green light and will launch later this year.
Consultations for the SL13 between Ealing Broadway and Hendon, and the SL15 between Clapham Junction and Eltham have closed, with TfL expected to publish the outcomes soon.
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