Thamesmead bus garage plans submitted
Plans are in for a new bus garage in Thamesmead from transport group Go-Ahead.
Consultation began late last year for the site on White Hart Avenue with a full application now going in to Greenwich Council. It’s to replace a bus garage at Morden Wharf in Greenwich.
Total bus numbers proposed have reduced from 139 to 132 since consultation.
As expected given the move towards electric bus the site will feature provision of electrical charging infrastructure and an electricity sub-station. Some diesel buses will be located on site according to the application.
Bus routes currently operated from Morden Wharf garage include 51, 178, 244, 286, 291, 386, 469 and SL11.
History
The featured plot is part of a wider industrial area dating back around 25 years that hasn’t been a great success. Much of the land designated for industrial use still lies vacant despite construction of a new road and bridge between Plumstead and Thamesmead.
Back then it was a £80 million project between Tilfen Land, Greenwich Council and the London Development Corporation with Peabody taking over Tilfen after completion.
The new road still has acres of vacant land beside the road constructed through the site. A cohesive plan for the area would move see any heavy industry move from sites near the Elizabeth line in Woolwich to the White Hart site, leaving those plots near excellent public transport and town centre amenities ready for redevelopment incorporating mixed-use housing and light industry or commercial use.
Before becoming the White Hart Triangle it was MOD land with part of the Royal Arsenal railway network serving the site.
In terms of potential revenue it’s stated: “Given the poor local pedestrian and cycling environment, a financial contribution will be sought for public realm enhancements along Purland Road and Nathan Way.
“A further contribution will likely be sought to improve the adjacent Ridgeway, which will serve as a key pedestrian and cycling route from Plumstead Station to the site. These enhancements will help encourage staff to use sustainable travel options”.
We’ll find out how much, if any, is allocated at a later date.
Design
As for the design of the new bus garage there’s not much to talk about. It’s about as dull and cheap as expected. Long gone are the days of interesting bus garage design such as the wonderful Stockwell.
It speaks volumes of how modern expectations are often so low that the thought of anything approaching that seems utterly inconceivable. That’s despite Stockwell being built post-war and opening in 1952 when the country was truly broke.
Thamesmead will use the terrifically dull colour scheme of a “muted grey palette comprising Anthracite Grey (dark), Merlin Grey (mid), and Goosewing Grey (light).”
Even nearby Plumstead garage built around 30 years later than Stockwell and opening in 1981 is of more interest. It at least uses brick rather than grey panels on a large shed.
On the subject of Plumstead garage I’ve said it before but if Stagecoach moved a short distance east to one of the many other vacant sites in the White Hart Triangle that would free up much land for new housing near Plumstead station and Woolwich Elizabeth line station.
It’d also permit reworking the gyratory and road layout which severs the area and in turn permit a vast improvement in public realm and local streets.
Around 2,000 homes are currently underway in the area as part of the Lombard Square development, including a tower within the one-way system near the bus garage.
Approval should be a formality with the potential to open late next year.
It has been said that route 51 will run there from August this year.
How many days in a year is under cover accommodation required for buses?
If Stagecoach move out of Plumstead garage it will be for open air parking. They have already moved out of the covered space at West Ham garage.
So it looks like a new bus garage at Thamesmead has now been approved and to be given the go ahead that would see the new bus garage built.
Might as well just get on with it and build a new bus garage.
Looks great for Thamesmead to have a new bus garage. As well as having the DLR extension to Thamesmead.
No solar provision at all??? Is it 1980 still? Can’t understand how poor quality developments can be passed like this. Big question is whether they have enough parking for bus drivers given the absolute chaos plumstead bus garage are is and surrounding streets taking a massive burden too.
As i understand from.TFL routes 51 178 244 291 and SL11 should starting receiving their new electric double deckers around the time the routes are transferred to the Thamesmead Bus Garage which is expected to open in late 2027.
Route 286 will continue with existing hybrid double deckers and routes 386 and 469 with their existing diesel and hybrid single decker buses for the resr of their current contracts.