Central Area Routes 10–12

Route 10 ran daily between Abridge (Blue Boar) and London Bridge Station via Chigwell, Woodford Bridge, South Woodford, Wanstead, Leytonstone, Stratford, Bow, Mile End and Aldgate. It was extended on Mondays to Saturdays to Victoria Station via St. George’s Circus, Lambeth Bridge and Horseferry Road. In 1964 it was withdrawn on Mondays to Saturdays between Woodford Bridge and Abridge except for Monday to Friday peak hour journeys to Chigwell Station, with new route 10A covering this section. In 1968 the peak hour journeys were extended from Chigwell to Abridge, but the Sunday service was withdrawn between Woodford Bridge and Abridge. In 1972 it was converted to one-man-operation and withdrawn completely between Woodford Bridge and Abridge, and between Wanstead Station and Woodford Bridge on Sundays, and also withdrawn between London Bridge Station and Victoria. In 1976 it was rerouted on Mondays to Saturdays to Woodford Wells instead of Woodford Bridge, and was also extended on Mondays to Saturdays from London Bridge Station to Victoria Station via Elephant & Castle, St. George’s Circus, Lambeth Bridge and Horseferry Road. In 1977 it was withdrawn between Wanstead Station and Woodford Wells. In 1978 it was extended to Victoria Station on Sundays, although this was cut back again on Sunday mornings in 1985. The route was withdrawn completely in 1988. Today’s route 10 runs between King’s Cross Station and Hammersmith via Euston, Oxford Street, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner and Kensington.

Timetable leaflet for the one-person-operation conversion of route 10 starting 28 October 1972, with print code 972/3207S/49,000. This is a fold-out leaflet with brief details of the route and a fare table on the front. Inside are bus stop timetables for the service and on the back are diagrams showing how to use split entrance buses.

This “E” plate would have come from one of only a couple of stops in the London Bridge area, and it’s doubtful that its pair will surface, given that it is also a partial FARE STAGE plate.

Route 21 ran between Moorgate Finsbury Square and Eltham Well Hall via London Bridge, Borough, Great Dover Street, Bricklayers Arms, Old Kent Road, New Cross, Lewisham and Lee Green, with a Sunday extension to Farnborough Bull via New Eltham, Sidcup, Birchwood Corner and Swanley. In 1956, the Monday-Saturday service between Sidcup and Farningham was withdrawn and replaced by route 21A, then reintroduced in 1962, and yet withdrawn again between this section in June 1968! In January 1971 the Saturday service was withdrawn between London Bridge and Moorgate, and the Sunday service withdrawn between New Cross and London Bridge, with the Saturday service reintroduced between London Bridge and Moorgate in October 1978. During September 1980, the Sunday service was extended from New Cross to London Bridge. During the late ’80s, buses were extended to Foots Cray Tesco’s. Equally, in the late ’80s, one journey was introduced to West Kingsdown, with this being withdrawn in November 1997. During its time, buses ran out of New Cross [NX], Sidcup [SP] and Old Kent Road [P] garages, but is now only operated by New Cross. This route now runs between Lewisham and Newington Green via New Cross, Old Kent Road, Bricklayers Arms, Great Dover Street, Borough, London Bridge, Monument, Bank and Moorgate.

Routes 10 and 25 ran together between Stratford and Aldgate, and this “E” plate could have appeared on any of the numerous stops along that section of road.

Route 25 is a very long-established central London route and in 1950 was running between Victoria Station and Becontree Heath via Hyde Park Corner, Berkeley Square, Oxford Circus, Holborn, St. Paul’s, Bank, Aldgate, Whitechapel, Mile End, Bow, Stratford, Forest Gate, Manor Park, Ilford, Green Lanes, Goodmayes and Becontree. During Monday to Friday rush hours it was extended to Hornchurch Station via Rush Green. The Hornchurch extension was withdrawn in 1958, but an additional shuttle service was introduced between Dagenham East Station and Dagenham (Fords) via Ballards Road during Monday to Friday peak hours, replacing route 193. This shuttle service was totally separate from the main 25 service except for the garage runs. There were no further changes to the 25 until 1969 when the weekend service was withdrawn between Oxford Circus and Victoria, although this was reinstated in 1978. The shuttle service to Dagenham was reduced to just a few morning rush hour projections during 1977. In 1982 the 25 was withdrawn completely east of Ilford, being replaced by new route 225. In 1987 the Sunday service was extended from Ilford to Becontree Heath via Goodmayes and Becontree again, and became daily in 1988. At the same time route 25 was converted to one-man-operation, and rerouted on Saturdays and Sundays between Aldgate and Bank via Tower of London. In 1992 the 25 was withdrawn between Oxford Circus and Victoria and replaced by route 8 over this section, and later that year a few morning peak hour journeys were again extended from Becontree Heath to Dagenham (Fords). In 1993 the weekend diversion via Tower was rerouted via New Change and Cannon Street instead of Bank. The route now runs daily between Oxford Circus and Ilford Broadway via Bank at all times and is operated by articulated buses.

A more detailed history of routes 10, 21 and 25 can be found in Kenneth Warren’s book, The Motorbus in Central London (Ian Allan, 1986; ISBN 0 7110 1568 6).

Route 10A was introduced in 1964 and ran on Mondays to Saturdays between Abridge (Blue Boar) and Leyton Green via Chigwell, Woodford Bridge, South Woodford, Wanstead, Leytonstone, Whipps Cross and Lea Bridge Road. It was withdrawn in 1968 and replaced by new routes 167A and 235.

A new route 10A was introduced in 1972 running on Mondays to Fridays between Victoria and Aldgate via Lambeth Palace, Elephant & Castle and London Bridge covering the southern end of route 10, and this was very short-lived as route 10 was re-extended to Victoria in 1976.

Route 21 is described above.

Route 11 is one of the most famous routes in London, and has featured many times on postcards, in films and on television. It ran daily between Liverpool Street and Shepherd’s Bush via Bank, St. Paul’s, Ludgate Circus, Strand, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, Victoria, Sloane Square, Chelsea, Fulham Broadway and Hammersmith. In 1970 it was withdrawn between Hammersmith (Brook Green) and Shepherd’s Bush, and in 1983 further cut back to Hammersmith Broadway. In 1986 it was re-extended to Shepherd’s Bush on Mondays to Saturdays except evenings, but cut back again in 1992 when it terminated at Hammersmith (Bus Station). In 1993 it was withdrawn between Fulham Broadway and Hammersmith and replaced by route 211 over this section. In 2003 it was converted to one-man-operation.

Route 15 ran from Kew Green (Sundays), via Kew Bridge, Gunnersbury Lane, Acton, Acton Vale, East Acton, Wormwood Scrubs, Barlby Road, St Marks Road, and Ladbroke Grove (Mondays to Saturdays), extended via Westbourne Grove, Paddington, Marble Arch, Oxford Street, Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Aldwych, Fleet Street, St. Paul’s, Bank, Aldgate, Stepney, Limehouse and Poplar (Monday to Friday mid-days), being further extended via Canning Town, Plaistow and Upton Park to East Ham White Horse during Monday to Friday peaks and evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. In connection with the Trolleybus Replacement Programme, route 15 was extended from Poplar to East Ham at all times. Nowadays it runs between Paddington and Blackwall Station. Of course, the 15 is now one of just two routes using Routemasters, and this Heritage Route 15 runs between Trafalgar Square and Tower of London.

A more detailed history of route 11 can be found in Kenneth Warren’s book, The Motorbus in Central London (Ian Allan, 1986; ISBN 0 7110 1568 6).

Route 12 ran between Harlesden (Willesden Junction) and South Croydon (Red Deer) via Park Royal, East Acton, Shepherd’s Bush, Notting Hill Gate, Marble Arch, Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, Elephant & Castle, Camberwell, Peckham, Dulwich, Forest Hill, Penge, Anerley, Norwood Junction, Addiscombe and East Croydon. In 1954 it was withdrawn between South Croydon Garage and South Croydon (Red Deer). In 1958 it was withdrawn on Sundays between Oxford Circus and Harlesden, and partly replaced by route 49. In 1960 it was re-extended on Sundays from Oxford Circus to Shepherd’s Bush. In 1972 it was withdrawn between Norwood Junction and South Croydon and replaced by new route 12A. In 1978 it was re-rextended on Sundays from Shepherd’s Bush to Harlesden. In 1986 it was withdrawn daily between East Acton and Harlesden, and between Penge and Norwood Junction. In 1988 it was withdrawn between Dulwich and Penge. In 1991 it was withdrawn between East Acton and Shepherd’s Bush. In 1994 it was withdrawn between Notting Hill Gate and Shepherd’s Bush. In 2004, the route was converted to articulated buses and shortened even further to run only between Oxford Circus and Dulwich, a shadow of its former self.

A more detailed history of route 12 can be found in Kenneth Warren’s book, The Motorbus in Central London (Ian Allan, 1986; ISBN 0 7110 1568 6).

This “E” plate is of outstanding interest as the destination was not the terminus of the route, so it must therefore have come from a stop which was used by short-working buses.

Route 18A was introduced in 1967 between Acton and Kings Cross via North Acton, Harlesden, Kensal Green, Paddington Green and Euston during Monday to Friday rush hours. It finished its days between Acton and Baker Street Station and was withdrawn during 1982. It was never converted to one-man-operation and was RM operated for most of its life from Middle Row Garage [X], only receiving crewed DM buses during its last year.

Split plates are always popular, and this example combines one of London’s most famous and busy central London routes with a more obscure local service. It would probably have come from a stop in the Harlesden area.

Route 39 ran daily between Camden Town and Southfields Station via Hampstead Road, Tottenham Court Road, Charing Cross Road, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, Victoria, Chelsea, Battersea Bridge, Clapham Junction and Wandsworth. In 1952 it was withdrawn between Victoria and Camden Town on Sundays. In 1953 it was extended during Monday to Friday rush hours and on Saturdays from Camden Town to Parliament Hill Fields via Kentsh Town. From 1953 until 1957 the summer Sunday service was extended from Victoria to Parliament Hill Fields. In 1958 the Sunday service was withdrawn completely, but reintroduced that summer between Southfields and Parliament Hill Fields. Later in 1958 the Sunday service was withdrawn completely and the service was withdrawn between Camden Town and Parliament Hill Fields, and further withdrawn on Saturday afternoons between Trafalgar Square and Camden Town. In 1961 it was extended from Camden Town to Parliament Hill Fields. In 1963 the Monday to Friday service was diverted at Trafalgar Square to Finsbury Park Station via Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus, Camden Town and Holloway, and further extended during rush hours to Tottenham Garage via Manor House, partly replacing route 276, and the Saturday service was renumbered 39A. In 1964 the Saturday service was reintroduced on the 39 between Victoria and Southfields replacing the 39A. In 1970 the 39 was withdrawn between Oxford Circus and Tottenham. In 1971 the Saturday service was diverted at Battersea Bridge to South Kensington via Fulham Road and renumbered 39A. In 1972 it was converted to one-man-operation. In 1973 it was extended from Southfields to Putney High Street via Tibbetts Corner, and further extended outside peak hours to Putney Bridge Station, when there was less traffic congestion. In 1974 the 39 was introduced on Sundays between Battersea (Parkgate Road) and Putney Bridge Station. In 1978 a Saturday service was introduced between Victoria and Putney Bridge, and the service was extended to Putney Bridge at all times. In 1990 it was withdrawn between Clapham Junction and Victoria and replaced by route 239, and it was also rerouted via York Road and Plough Road instead of East Hill, although this reverted back to east Hill soon after.

Route 88 ran between Acton Green and Mitcham (Cricketers) via Shepherd’s Bush, Notting Hill Gate, Marble Arch, Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Westminster, Vauxhall, Stockwell, Clapham, Balham and Tooting Broadway. During Monday to Friday peak hours and on Saturdays it was extended to St. Helier, running on to Belmont on Sundays. In 1961 the service was extended to Banstead Hospital on Sunday afternoons. The Saturday service was withdrawn between Mitcham and St. Helier in 1964, with the peak hour service being similarly withdrawn in 1970. It was withdrawn between Tooting and Mitcham in 1987 on Mondays to Saturdays. In 1988 it was extended beyond Acton Green to Turnham Green. The route was further cut back from Tooting to Clapham Common on Mondays to Saturdays in 1990, and soon after was cut back from Turnham Green to Marble Arch on Sundays, and Oxford Circus on Mondays to Saturdays. The Sunday service was cut back to Clapham Common the same year. In 1992 the Sunday service to Marble Arch was cut back to Oxford Circus, and in 1990 the whole service was extended from Oxford Circus to Camden Town via Warren Street Station and Hampstead Road.

This “E” plate would have come from the common section of routes 12 and 88 between Shepherd’s Bush and Westminster.

Route 12A began operating on 8 January 1972 between Peckham Garage and South Croydon Garage via Barrie Road, East Dulwich, Forest Hill, Penge, Anerly, Norwood Junction, Addiscombe and East Croydon. One year later it was extended to Selsdon (Farley Road) on Monday to Saturday and to Riddlesdown (Mitchley Hill) for Monday to Friday school journeys, replacing the withdrawn section of route 54. In 1981 it was withdrawn between Peckham and Forest Hill. In 1982 Sunday service was withdrawn between Croydon (Swan & Sugar Loaf) and Croydon Garage. In 1984 the route was extended from Selsdon via Riddlesdown and Purley to Old Lodge Lane over routes 234 and 234A. In February 1986 the Sunday service was withdrawn between Croydon (Park Lane) and the Swan & Sugar Loaf, but in June it was extended to Chipstead Valley and renumbered 12B. In October the 12A was extended from Forest Hill back to its original terminus of Peckham Garage. In September 1990 the route was renumbered 312.

The 12A was allocated to Elmers End Garage [ED] until its closure in 1986, when it was transferred to Croydon Garage [TC]. It was operated by SMS Swifts until they were withdrawn in favour of short Leyland National LSs in 1977.