TfL to Retime 1,500 Traffic Lights in Bid to Speed Up London Buses

Around 1,500 sets of traffic lights across London are set to be retimed to give buses priority at key junctions, as part of a major new Transport for London (TfL) strategy to tackle worsening congestion and slowing journey times.

The move forms part of TfL’s five-year plan, London on the Move, aimed at reversing a long-term decline in bus performance and passenger numbers. Average bus speeds across Greater London fell to 9.18mph between June and September last year, down from 9.38mph over the same period two years earlier. Operators say that in central London, rush-hour speeds are often barely faster than walking pace.

Some of the capital’s busiest routes are among the slowest. Buses on routes such as the 14 and 72 average under 6mph throughout the day, while route 38 – known as the “Hackney Tube” – runs at just over 6mph and has been flagged as being at risk of curtailment to avoid congestion in the West End. Stagecoach London managing director Paul Lynch told a London Assembly investigation last month that delays on the bus network are the worst seen in 40 years.

Despite buses remaining a crucial part of London’s transport system, passenger numbers continue to dip. There were 1.842 billion bus journeys in 2024/25, a 1.5% fall compared with the previous year.

Alongside traffic light changes, TfL’s strategy includes tougher action on roadworks, which it says are a major cause of congestion. There are around 400,000 sets of roadworks in the capital every year. Under new powers, councils will be able to charge utility firms up to £2,500 a day for digging up traffic-sensitive streets and up to £350 a day for pavement works. A share of the revenue can be reinvested in local road repairs, including potholes.

From April, Lambeth, Camden, Enfield and Merton will be the first boroughs allowed to introduce these “lane rental” charges, with a further 22 councils preparing applications as the Government moves to devolve the scheme to the Mayor of London.

TfL will also upgrade its “Fusion” traffic control system, allowing traffic signals to be adjusted more quickly when delays occur – a move that could cut delays by up to 14%. While 2,080 traffic lights already have bus priority technology, TfL plans to expand this to all 3,500 signals used by buses by 2030. The strategy also includes wider use of AI-powered “Vivacity” cameras to better manage different types of road users.

In central London, TfL says it will continue to prioritise buses and active travel, expanding cycle routes and limiting the impact of roadworks. In outer London, the focus will be on improving public transport reliability to encourage people to switch from cars.

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said congestion costs the capital’s economy millions of pounds each year and that the strategy would “tackle the causes head on” by using new technology and infrastructure to speed up journeys and improve safety.

TfL’s Director of Streets and Network Operations, Carl Eddleston, said the plan would deliver a “better, safer street network” by 2030.

Lambeth deputy leader Cllr Rezina Chowdhury added that charging for roadworks would help reduce peak-time disruption by encouraging firms to carry out works when they have the least impact on residents and businesses.