One of the main buses serving North Greenwich bus station is set to have its route changed so it can serve new developments in the area.

The 188 from Tottenham Court Road would no longer serve St Mary Magdalene School and Millennium Way under the proposals. Instead the route would use the north end of Tunnel Avenue in both directions, serving two sites where major new developments are planned.

Tunnel Avenue extends as far as the O2, but its northern section has long been split in two, with a one-way bus gate for access to the Blackwall Tunnel. 

That section of road is currently closed, but when the Silvertown Tunnel opens next year, Tunnel Avenue will be two-way throughout its length and separated from the Blackwall Tunnel approach.

The change means the 188 would pass the site of the proposed 1,500- home Morden Wharf development, which won planning permission in 2021 with the developer committing to spending £2.5 million on diverting a bus to serve the site, although at the time this was expected to be another service.

However, no work has taken place and the Morden Wharf site and planning permission have since been sold to Galliard Homes, which has appointed new architects to revamp the plans.

A bus on route 188
The 188 was rerouted from Russell Square to Tottenham Court Road last year. Image: The Greenwich Wire

The bus would also serve the Meridian Quays development, which was approved two months ago. Knight Dragon plans to start work on 866 homes later this year. 

However, those using the 188 to get to St Mary Magdalene School would lose out. 

TfL says in its equalities impact assessment that passengers could use the 129 or 422 instead, with the 129 due to be increased in frequency when the Silvertown Tunnel opens. 

“Although this means using stops at Millennium Village instead of Millennium Way, the walk distance to the school entrance is essentially the same as now,” it says of the 129.

The 188 had the other end of its route altered last year, with its central London terminal switching from Russell Square to Tottenham Court Road as part of a wider revision of buses in the area.

TfL has opened a consultation at haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk, which is open until March 6.