Transport for London Expands Zero-Emission Superloop Network with SL4 via Silvertown Tunnel and Fast-Tracks Bakerloop Express Corridor

Silvertown Tunnel Twin-Bore Thames Crossing Opens with Dedicated Bus Priority

LONDON, Greater London — In a transformational leap forward for trans-Thames connectivity, Transport for London (TfL) has completed operational commissioning of the landmark Silvertown Tunnel, linking Silvertown in Newham directly to the Greenwich Peninsula. Designed to permanently relieve chronic bottlenecks and environmental idling at the adjacent 127-year-old Victorian Blackwall Tunnel, the modern twin-bore infrastructure features dedicated, barrier-separated lanes reserved for zero-emission buses and commercial transit under a dynamic user-charging framework.

The tunnel’s state-of-the-art intelligent traffic management systems and computerized air quality filtration networks ensure seamless, high-capacity river crossings while monitoring real-time particulate and nitrogen dioxide emissions on both sides of the Thames.

SL4 Superloop Express Connects Canary Wharf to Southeast London Hubs

Capitalizing on the new river crossing, TfL officially launched the SL4 Superloop express bus service, deploying a brand-new fleet of high-capacity electric double-decker buses connecting the Canary Wharf financial district directly to Blackheath and Grove Park. Operating with high frequencies and limited intermediate stops, the SL4 slashes cross-river passenger journey times by up to 25 minutes, providing suburban outer London workers with a fast, zero-emission mass transit corridor.

The Superloop orbital network has proven to be a resounding success across outer London, consistently outperforming broader bus ridership benchmarks and encouraging modal shift from private vehicle use to zero-emission public transport.

Bakerloop BL1 Express Previews Underground Extension to Lewisham

Complementing eastern river crossing expansions, the Mayor of London and TfL introduced the high-frequency Bakerloop (BL1) express bus route connecting Waterloo Station, Elephant & Castle, Old Kent Road, and Lewisham. Serving as an immediate high-capacity surface transit link, the Bakerloop runs directly along the designated alignment of the proposed Bakerloo Line Extension (BLE).

TfL and Southwark Council are advancing comprehensive feasibility design investigations for the tube extension, which envisions modernizing the Bakerloo Line's rolling stock with new walk-through trains and tunneling southward to unlock over 20,000 new transit-oriented homes across Southeast London.

Driving Toward Net-Zero Emissions and Modal Shift Across the Capital

London transport executives emphasized that modern express bus corridors, cleaner river crossings, and integrated transit fares are fundamental to London’s statutory target of achieving net-zero carbon operations. By combining zero-emission bus fleets with congestion relief infrastructure, TfL continues to make London’s transport network greener, faster, and more accessible for millions of daily passengers.