A petition calling for the Superloop SL3 bus to stop at Bexley Village has reached over 1,500 signatures.

The petition was launched on September 7 by MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup Louie French and two councillors for St Mary’s and St James Ward – Councillor Cameron Smith and Councillor Kurtis Christoforide.

It was launched in a bid to lobby for the Superloop SL3 bus route running between Thamesmead and Bromley to stop at Bexley Village.

The route is one of three Superloop bus routes in the south east London area and was added in February following the ULEZ expansion across all of Greater London.

The route currently runs through Bexley Village, but does not stop there despite “real demand” for it to do so, according to the petition organisers.

Louie French MP (Old Bexley and Sidcup) said: "Nearly 1,500 people so far have signed our petition to bring the Superloop to Bexley Village.

“It shows Transport for London (TfL) that there is clear demand locally for the service to stop in the Village. 

"There's no logical reason why a stop can't be added on this route, and I will continue to press TfL for this alongside local councillors and residents."

The petition is set to be presented at City Hall next month by Thomas Turrell AM.

The petition also argues against TfL’s requests to Bexley Council to carry out road works to enable the bus to use Penhil Road – TfL’s preferred route for the SL3 bus to use rather than Bexley Village.

However, campaigners have argued that the road already faces heavy congestion and that using this route would slow down the service.

Councillor Cameron Smith (St. Mary's and St. James Ward) said: "It's silly that the Superloop passes by Bexley Village but doesn't stop.

“The Village suffers from heavy congestion and needs better public transport connections, especially to the Elizabeth Line. 

“There's a strong case for the new bus service to stop at the War Memorial, helping to ease congestion and connect the borough.”

The petition outlines a proposal to add a stop at the War Memorial in Bexley Village, which they say is currently a “missed opportunity” and would improve access to Queen Mary Hospital and the Elizabeth Line for locals in the area, as well as driving further business into Bexley Village.

Kurtis Christoforides (St. Mary's and St. James Ward) said: "Many residents and business owners would like the Superloop to stop in Bexley Village because it would bring much-needed footfall and connections to the north of the Borough, especially the Elizabeth Line at Abbey Wood.

"With the southbound route already passing within a stone's throw of the high street, it seems like an obvious thing to do.

"A stop also needn't slow down the service; Transport for London's preferred route is already very congested, and an alternative would arguably be faster."

In a statement, TFL said that adding a stop to Bexley Village would “significantly outweigh” those who would use it to and from the area.

However, the transport provider added that it would continue to monitor and review Superloop routes - including those in Bexley.

A TfL spokesperson said: “Buses are a central part of our transport system and we’re always looking at how we can improve and adapt the bus network to make it better for everyone.

“We have carefully considered potential changes to the SL3, yet the number of passengers it would delay would significantly outweigh those who would use it to and from Bexley Village.

“While it has not been possible to include a stop in Bexley on the Superloop network so far, we will continue to monitor and review all Superloop routes to get a full understanding of how customers are using the network, working with local councils, including Bexley Council, to improve the bus network across the capital.”