TfL dismisses M25 bus plan as outer London connectivity concerns grow

Concerns have been raised about the adequacy of public transport connections across outer London, with calls for more radical solutions to encourage residents away from private cars. Keith Prince, a Reform UK member of the London Assembly and its transport committee, stated that while capacity in the capital has improved, travel between outer boroughs remains difficult.

Mr Prince suggested the creation of an 'internal orbital bus' service operating along the North Circular route and an express bus service on the M25 motorway as potential improvements. He argued that such services would significantly reduce journey times for residents needing to travel across different parts of outer London, citing personal experience where a short car journey can take hours by public transport.

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Superloop plans and existing network

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and Transport for London (TfL) have aimed to address connectivity issues through the expansion of the Superloop network, originally proposed in 2008. Currently, twelve Superloop routes are operational across London, with three more planned. However, a Superloop route intended to connect Barnet with Stratford, passing through Enfield Town, Chingford, and Walthamstow, was reportedly abandoned by TfL in July, as previously reported by the Enfield Dispatch.

Mr Prince stated that current plans for Superloop expansion, which aim to increase the total number of services from ten to fifteen, are insufficient to meet the Mayor's target of 80% of journeys being made by public transport or active travel by 2041. He believes more ambitious measures are necessary to achieve this goal.

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TfL response to proposals

A spokesperson for TfL responded to the concerns, stating the organisation's commitment to providing a comprehensive and reliable bus service throughout London. They confirmed that the bus network is continually reviewed to ensure resources are directed where most needed. Regarding the proposal for an M25 bus service, TfL stated that the motorway, with its multiple lanes and national speed limit, is not suitable for scheduled bus operations.

The spokesperson added that plans for further Superloop routes across London are still being considered for future implementation. Mr Prince also voiced concerns about the impact of measures like low-traffic neighbourhoods and 20mph speed limits, suggesting they can increase car usage and pollution due to a lack of viable public transport alternatives.