Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does Enfield’s east need a new transport option?

Enfield Lock, Brimsdown and Ponders End have some of the poorest public transport links in the borough, particularly for north–south and east–west travel. Rail services run only twice per hour and are often unreliable due to track constraints, leaving many residents with long, uncertain journeys.

2. Who would benefit most from the new service?

More than 42,000 people live in these wards, many in areas ranked among the 10–20% most deprived nationally. Car ownership is lower than average, meaning residents rely heavily on public transport to reach jobs, education, services and leisure.

3. What would the express bus actually do?

The new express service would run from Enfield Lock → Ponders End → Meridian Way → Tottenham Hale, taking around 20 minutes. It replaces slow, multi-change journeys with a fast, direct and affordable alternative.

4. How much would it cost compared to rail?

A bus fare is £1.75, compared with £5.80 for the same journey by rail. For daily commuters, this could mean saving £40 per week.

5. How does this support jobs and regeneration?

The route connects residents with:

• The Victoria Line and onward into the city, as well as fast links to Stratford.

• The Meridian Water employment hub

• Lee Valley attractions, including the cinema, Leisure Complex, Ark Royal Venue and upcoming Wave London

• Thousands of jobs with major employers in the Lee Valley industrial corridor, where transport options are currently limited

6. Will this help reduce car use and congestion?

Yes. Outer London has twice the car usage of inner London. Even a modest 10% shift from cars to the express bus could remove over a mile of traffic during peak times, improving air quality along the A1055.

7. How does this support communities facing transport poverty?

Affordable, frequent and accessible travel is essential for residents with lower incomes, younger populations and high deprivation. The express bus would give people reliable access to jobs, education and services without needing a car.

8. Why is Ponders End such an important stop?

Ponders End is already a crucial interchange for rail and local buses. Adding a Superloop-style stop here links the area to the proposed Barnet–Chingford Superloop and fills a major gap in orbital coverage across north-east Enfield.

9. Is this an expensive or complicated project?

No. The express route uses existing roads, existing bus stops, and the proven, hugely successful Superloop model. It avoids the huge costs and delays associated with large rail projects like Crossrail 2, while delivering immediate benefits.

10. Does this support London’s climate and transport goals?

Absolutely. The service contributes to the Mayor’s target of 75% sustainable travel in outer London by 2041 and offers a practical, affordable alternative to high-emission car use alongside ULEZ.

11. Have residents asked for this?

Yes. Many residents depend on Tottenham Hale for work and onward travel, and previous consultations showed strong local demand for better connections and improved transport in this exact corridor.

12. What are the suggested stops for this express bus service?

The proposed service starts in Enfield Lock where a bus turning circle already exists on Brunswick Road, then runs south via Ponders End, Brimsdown and continues to Tottenham Hale Station.

It would primarily use the A1055 (Meridian Way/Watermead Way) - a straight, purpose-built distributor road through the Lea Valley industrial corridor. This alignment is direct (approximately 9 km / 5.5 miles end-to-end) and allows for limited stops.

Key suggested stops would be:

Northern terminus: Enfield Island Village (Stop ID: 59097) where buses can start/end their journey.

Either Causeway Bridge/River Lee (Stop ID: 55081) or on Mollison Avenue near Newbury Ave/Enfield Island Village rural walkway. Both would provide resident access, and connection to Enfield Lock national rail station (10 minutes’ walk).

Green Street/Brimsdown Station (Stop ID: 53041). Connection to Brimsdown national rail station and additional bus connectivity to Brimsdown Industrial Estate for workers.

Lea Valley Road Stop (ID: 72511). This would provide connectivity via a short 3-minute walk to a suggested Superloop 2 stop on Mollison Avenue/Ponders End (Stop ID: 75581)

Either Lee Valley Leisure Complex (where buses can turn in), Pickett’s Lock Lane, or Meridian Way/Adra Road. These stops would balance between a stop for leisure activities and/or workers to travel to the industrial area between Meridian Way and the River Lea.

Meridian Water/Glover Road. This is a turnaround point for buses going north and south along Angel Edmonton Road. It would provide connectivity to Meridian Water and to the new residential developments taking place, so would add capacity. It also provides residents further north or south larger shopping capabilities with Tesco.

Stonebridge Lock (Stop ID: 50394). Would provide leisure connectivity for Tottenham Marshes and workers to Northumberland Park Train Depot.

Southern terminus : Tottenham Hale Underground Station. Would provide northbound bus connection to north-east Enfield for those leaving London Underground services. Would also provide central London workers an alternative and perhaps direct route to industrial places of work along the Lea Valley corridor. Tottenham Hale also has extensive retail (Tottenham Hale Retail Park, supermarket) and the nearby recreation area of the Lea Valley.