Lewisham awarded £10m to improve bus network

Transport for London (TfL) announced the new funding as part of its Better Bus Partnerships programme, with plans to work with the boroughs to improve journey times, reliability and customer experience.

The schemes across the three boroughs aim to cut bus journey times by up to 30%, making bus travel more attractive, increasing overall bus ridership and offering the bus as a "preferred alternative" to travel by car.

London boroughs are responsible for around 95% of streets across the capital and so play a key role in ensuring bus services run smoothly.

Councillor Louise Krupski, Lewisham deputy mayor and cabinet member for Climate Action, Transport and Environment, said: “We are thrilled to receive this crucial funding support from Transport for London ..

"Almost half of our households do not own a car, so buses are a lifeline for many residents, especially in the south of the borough where there are fewer train connections and higher levels of deprivation ..

"We’re focusing on two vital corridors – north to south through Grove Park to Greenwich and east to west through Sydenham towards Bromley and Southwark to ensure our bus network works well for everyone."

TfL gave examples of interventions which the three councils had proposed:

• new bus priority measures (eg bus lanes) to improve journey times
• better management of roadworks to reduce delays to buses
• improvements to layouts of bus stops, to improve safety and to make it easier to change modes of transport
• improvements to streets, to make it easier and safer to walk to bus stops and stations.  

After detailed planning, delivery is expected to begin in 2027. The funding to each borough will be released in stages over a four-year-period, based on its progress.

Competitive bidding

The funding was awarded after a competitive bid process, which was open to all 32 London boroughs.

18 councils submitted expressions of interest; eight were shortlisted and went on to the detailed bid stage.

Lorna Murphy, Tfl's director of buses thanked all the applicants, saying: "It is encouraging to see boroughs putting bus services at the heart of their communities to support sustainable transport for all and a safer, cleaner, greener London."

However, while the partnership is good news for the successful boroughs, it is unclear how the targeted £30m of funding will improve bus transport across the capital.

It also raises questions around the allocation of London-wide funds.

A TfL spokesperson said: "We want to make sure our investment in improving London's transport is used as effectively as possible and we're pleased to be working with Haringey, Lewisham and Southwark over the coming years to deliver their bus schemes .."

They added: "We are working with the {five} boroughs who were unsuccessful at detailed bid stage to explore other funding opportunities for some aspects of their bids".

They also highlighted Local Implementation Plan funding as an alternative source of funds.

London boroughs have claimed £85.85m of Local Implementation Plan funding so far this year.

It supports projects which improve walking and cycling infrastructure, reduce road danger, improve air quality and encourage active travel.  

Krupski said Lewisham's plans include "upgrading bus stops, connecting better with stations and also improving walking and cycling routes where we can to make them safer and more pleasant, whilst reducing delays on roads.”

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