Politics
Lambeth Council Adds Three New Bus Routes to Serve 12,000 Brixton Commuters
The 7 July vote shifts £850,000 from the 2026-2027 transport budget to launch three new routes along Brixton Hill and Coldharbour Lane from September.
How we reported this
Lambeth Council on 7 July approved the Local Transport Connectivity Scheme, which adds three bus routes and 45 new stops in Brixton. The measure affects residents who rely on public transport for work, school runs and medical appointments in the SW2 and SW9 postcodes.
Why the change takes effect now
Council records show bus passenger numbers in Brixton rose 14 percent between 2024 and 2025. The scheme draws directly from the 2026-2027 transport capital budget line that had been earmarked for road resurfacing. Officials say the reallocation responds to resident complaints logged at the April and May area forums about overcrowding on the 2, 3 and 159 services.
Residents living on Brixton Hill will gain a direct service to Denmark Hill hospital without changing at Brixton station. Families on Coldharbour Lane will see an extended evening timetable until 11:30 pm on weekdays. The council agenda states that the first new route, numbered 456, will run every 12 minutes during peak hours.
Budget figures and immediate costs
The approved allocation totals £850,000 in the current financial year, with £620,000 going to vehicle procurement and the remainder to shelter installation at 12 existing stops. No increase in council tax or fare prices is included in the decision. Transport for London data cited in the council papers record average Brixton bus journey times at 38 minutes; the new routes are projected to cut that figure by nine minutes for trips under three miles.
Next steps require Lambeth officers to submit detailed timetables to Transport for London by 15 August. Public consultation on exact stop locations opens on 22 July at the Town Hall and online, with comments accepted until 12 August. The routes are scheduled to begin service on 1 September.