Thamesmead's 'Road to Nowhere' finally set for completion as a new bus route

"This is Barnham Drive, and though both ends of the road were built in 2003, and even cycle lane markings were added, the 90% of the road that would link up the end junctions was never added. Admittedly, not many people need to get between the ends, but if they did, thanks to the parkland being fenced off and the area being much more car than pedestrian-friendly, it's quite a long walk between them."

"However, as part of a wider range of bus improvements in the area, Transport for London (TfL) wants to run a bus through there, so at long last, they need to put the road in. A consultation has opened, and the plan is to connect both ends of the road with a two-way bus-only road, plus two cycle lanes and pavements."

Barnham Drive in southeast London has two built end sections from 2003 while the middle 90% was never constructed, leaving a long disconnected walk between them. A proposed Tripcock Point housing development in 2004 would have completed the road and extended housing to the river but never proceeded. The road was almost finished when it was considered for a Thames bridge junction but that was cancelled. Transport for London plans a consultation to construct a two-way bus-only link with two cycle lanes and pavements to connect the ends as part of Thamesmead Waterfront housing and bus improvements. The government supplied £23 million to fund a rapid bus between Woolwich and Thamesmead ahead of a DLR extension.

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