TfL Made a Video
And Mr Khan features greatly in the associated press releases.
The service has now started and the YouTube channel is overflowing with videos, ranging from full rides along the route, to enthusiastic shorts containing just a few shots of brown-and-white buses. Very few presenters attempt to describe the route and its interchange possibilities with other modes, namely big trains of assorted kinds.
If you don't know London, understanding the scope of these limited stop strangely coloured London buses is something of a challenge. fbb's knowledge of London is not at all bad in the central area, but, hey, Lewisham? There be dragons!
The Route Explored
The diligent internet investigator can find a route map, which fbb has, in a previous blog, presented in two sections, so for a more detailed explore we start with Waterloo to Burgess Park.
As this is intended to be an extension of the Bakerloo Line we could make an interchange with the bus at Waterloo. Tunnels, escalators and signs from the platforms ...
... may well led us via the main Underground ticket hall to the Waterloo national rail concourse or via alternative burrows; both leading ultimately to the Waterloo Road.
... but the BL1 doesn't actually stop outside the park. In fact nothing stops outside the park as such. The stops are outside and opposite a much more important 21st Century "traffic objective" ...
... namely the largest Tesco in south west London.
fbb guesses that more BL1 passengers will be making for Tesco rather than crossing the junction to enjoy Burgess Park; which is a pity; because the Park is much more pleasant and far calmer than the hurried immensity of a big Superstore!
Tomorrow, more interchange possibilities and a struggle with Loony Lewisham Loop Locations.
Exit via the "Colonnade" and in view of the old single track railway bridge and its newer higher level foot way to/from Waterloo East and your BL1 stop is opposite. Yes, there is a convenient pedestrian crossing! Set down is opposite when you come back. Easy Peasy.
Things are more complex at Elephant and Castle, because there are two stops, although your alighting places for the return journey are, again, opposite.
Alighting on London Road (Stop E) ...
You need to walk forward from the shelter ...
... and the Bakerloo Line station is easy to spot with its distinctive blood-red tiles.
You may also spot "STATION" in gold lettering to help you in your search. If you are making a connection towards Lewisham, you will, of course, be arising from troglodyte travel and looking for the bus.
You need the Bakerloo exit; do not be lured away to the recently refurbished Northern Line building!
Elephant and Castle has two stops on the BL1 (such profligate luxury), the second halt being suitable for transfer from National Rail (Thameslink and a part service from Bkackfriars.
The BL1 stops are conveniently ...
... placed next to the rail over bridge ...
... but the station entrance/exit is not the most amenable. Just past the bridge is a side turning on the right. It is called Elephant Road. The station entrance is there.
... and its all-pervading luxury is confirmed by the National Rail station plan.
Lavish it isn't.
But, if the BL1 is conceived as an extension to the Bakerloo Line, perhaps there is good directional information from the line's terminal platforms?
There isn't.
And so to Burgess Park!
The park has been developed piecemeal since WW2 by clearing old sub-srahnd0ard housing and light industry propery. The blue dotted line is the site of part of the disused Grand Surrey Canal, now filled in, leading to the Surrey Docks.
Nowadays, the park has a pleasant lake with a view of The Shard ....jpg)
... and a cooling chunk of woodland. 
A former footbridge over the canal still stands, and is known as "The Bridge to Nowhere".
Sadly, it is now "The Bridge for Nobody" as the steps at both ends are sealed off, thus preventing access.
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It has also got one of these ...
... which, as you would immediately recognise, is a former lime kiln.
But it is all a very pleasant oasis in a heavily built up area ...
But TfL doesn't usually name their stops after a street trader - even if it is a big one.
Next Bakerloop brown blog : Tues 14 Oct
The Tesco (and indeed the whole BL1 route) is in south-east London. not south-west!
ReplyDeleteBurgess Park is the proposed name for a Bakerloo Line Extension station at this location.
ReplyDelete