The New Cross-Lambeth North express: Number 53 depowered until March

Sneaky and very, very nasty bus cut from @TfL - 53 to terminate at Lambeth North from 17 January. https://t.co/KCtnxgPg7i
— Darryl (@darryl1974) January 15, 2015

The Number 53. King of buses. Growing up in south east London, it was the closest thing we knew to a loving god. Oh sure, Thor was more useful and the 54 was cooler, but the 53 - with its long, sinuous route - meant that it would soon appear by our side whenever we were lost and alone - our scarlet sentinel.

But TfL is doing a Delilah to the 53, lopping off its route, so that from January 17th until March 29th, its journey will end at the fairly useless Lambeth North due to nearby roadworks.

Bus travel, already annoying at the best of times, just got worse. To do it without warning at a time when South East London's public transport system is in chaos, is ridiculous.