Since its arrival, the Elizabeth Line has brought a new era of connectivity and opportunity to Forest Gate—transforming how residents and visitors move in and out of the area.
Forest Gate station, now proudly part of the Elizabeth Line network, offers fast, frequent, and reliable services straight into the heart of London and beyond. With up to 12 trains per hour during peak times running between Shenfield and central London, commuting has never been easier.
Whether you're heading to Canary Wharf, Tottenham Court Road, or Paddington, the journey is faster, smoother, and more comfortable—cutting travel times and reducing the stress of daily commuting.
12 trains per hour during peak times between Shenfield and central London.
Additional 4 trains per hour between Gidea Park and Liverpool Street during peak travel times.
Stops at key hubs across London, connecting Forest Gate to business districts, shopping destinations, and cultural landmarks.
The arrival of the Elizabeth Line hasn’t just improved transport—it’s also spurred investment in Forest Gate’s public spaces and infrastructure.
Key improvements include:
Wider pavements and resurfaced walkways, making it safer and more pleasant for pedestrians.
Removal of the slip road from Forest Lane to Woodgrange Road, replaced by a signalised T-junction for better traffic flow and cyclist safety.
Creation of a new public space where the area’s iconic clock and trough will be relocated.
Enhanced lighting, seating, and the planting of new trees, all contributing to a more vibrant, green, and welcoming streetscape.
A newly introduced 20mph speed limit, making the area safer for everyone.
With improved transport links and enhanced public spaces, Forest Gate is becoming an even more attractive place to live, work, and invest. Local businesses are benefiting from increased footfall, while residents enjoy better access to London’s jobs, amenities, and entertainment.
The Elizabeth Line has not only connected Forest Gate more efficiently to the capital—it’s helping to shape the future of our neighbourhood.
The transformation is ongoing, and Forest Gate continues to evolve. With continued investment and a growing sense of community pride, the area is set to thrive in the years ahead.
When it comes to public transport, Forest Gate is incredibly well-connected—thanks in large part to London’s extensive and reliable bus network. Whether you're commuting to work, heading to the shops, or visiting friends across town, catching a bus is one of the easiest and most accessible ways to get around.
London’s bus network is among the largest and most efficient in the world, with over 8,000 buses operating across 700+ routes. In total, the network carries an astonishing 1.8 billion passenger journeys every year.
Right here in Forest Gate, we benefit from several key bus routes that connect the area to surrounding neighbourhoods and major hubs like Stratford, Ilford, East Ham, and Central London. No matter where you are in Forest Gate, you’re rarely more than a short walk from a bus stop.
Buses in Forest Gate are:
Frequent, with many routes running every 5–10 minutes during peak times
Accessible, with low-floor entry, space for wheelchairs and buggies, and audio-visual announcements
Affordable, with daily fare caps and contactless payment options accepted on all services
Many routes also operate 24 hours a day, meaning Forest Gate stays connected even late into the night.
Route 25 – Connects Ilford to Oxford Circus via Stratford and the City
Route 86 – Runs between Stratford and Romford, with regular service through Forest Gate
Route 330 – Links Forest Gate to Canning Town and beyond
Route 58 – Offers easy access to East Ham and Walthamstow
Route 308 – A handy connection to Wanstead, Stratford, and Clapton
London’s bus fleet is also evolving to meet environmental targets, with an increasing number of electric and hybrid buses being introduced. This is helping to reduce emissions and improve air quality for everyone—including here in Forest Gate.
With a growing population and continued investment in local infrastructure, public transport has never been more important to the future of Forest Gate. The local bus network is not just a convenience—it’s a vital link that keeps our community connected, mobile, and moving forward.
London is steadily becoming a more cycle-friendly city, thanks to initiatives like the Quietways Programme and the Cycle Superhighways. These schemes aim to make cycling safer, more enjoyable, and accessible for everyone—whether you’re commuting, exercising, or just exploring the city on two wheels.
Alongside the Cycle Superhighways, Transport for London (TfL) has been developing the Quietways Programme. This initiative focuses on creating and improving cycling routes by linking low-traffic streets, green spaces, and residential areas. The goal is to provide safer, calmer, and more attractive routes for cyclists, away from busy roads and heavy traffic.
In July 2015, TfL launched a consultation on Quietway 6, the first proposed route under this programme. After collecting valuable feedback from the public, a revised proposal was published in February 2016, demonstrating how community input helps shape safer cycling infrastructure.
Cycle Superhighways, marked by the distinctive blue lanes, are designed to give cyclists a clear, designated space on some of London’s busiest routes. These lanes vary in design—from fully segregated tracks separated from traffic to painted lanes that carve out a safe area on the road.
Currently, there are seven active Superhighways: CS1, CS2, CS3, CS5, CS6, CS7, and CS8. These routes connect areas across London, stretching from Tottenham in the north to Colliers Wood in the south, and from Stratford in the east to Lancaster Gate in the west.
Notably, CS4, which will run from London Bridge towards Woolwich, is expected to enter public consultation soon. Plans are also underway for CS9 (Hounslow to Olympia) and CS11, heading northwest through Regent’s Park. What was initially planned as CS10 may be incorporated as a western extension of CS3.
The aim of these Superhighways is clear: to make cycling safer, faster, and more appealing, encouraging more Londoners to take to their bikes.
Cycling infrastructure continues to improve, making Forest Gate and London as a whole more welcoming to cyclists. Whether you prefer the quieter, scenic routes of the Quietways or the direct, high-capacity Superhighways, there’s never been a better time to explore the city on two wheels.