Hopeful signs on Bakerloo line extension – but it’s still at least 15 years away

By Noah Vickers, Local Democracy Reporter

Ambitions for the Bakerloo line to be extended into South-east London have taken a crucial step forward, with two companies chosen to study the feasibility of new stations along the route.

The multi-billion pound project involves extending the Tube line south from its current terminus at Elephant and Castle, with a new station proposed at Burgess Park and a second one located further down the Old Kent Road.

The extended service would next stop at New Cross Gate, providing an interchange with the Overground, and then at Lewisham, currently served by the DLR and National Rail services.

It was announced at the end of last week that Transport for London (TfL) has picked AECOM and WW+P to author a feasibility study of the four proposed stations over the next eight months.

According to trade press reports, WW+P is the lead architect and will focus on the design aspects of the study, while AECOM will be responsible for civil, structural, and mechanical engineering matters.

The two companies have already worked together on various station design schemes, including Paddington’s Elizabeth line station and plans for Crossrail 2.

Two years ago, the cost of the extension to Lewisham was estimated at between £5.2bn and £8.7bn at 2021 prices.

A further extension, to Hayes and Beckenham Junction, is also proposed – requiring a further £800m to £1.9bn. However, this second phase of the project is not being looked at as part of the new feasibility study.

The construction of the scheme is currently unfunded, as TfL is unable to pay for it without significant support from the Government.

However, it is hoped that by completing much of the design work now, if money were to be made available by the Department for Transport, construction could then begin without delays.

Once funding and permission have been granted, TfL believes construction could start in the 2030s, with services commencing in 2040.

Steve Bell, regional director for Europe at WW+P, said: “Our design work will provide tangible transport connectivity to a traditionally under-served part of London.

“This is an historic opportunity to support growth in one of London’s most ambitious opportunity areas, delivering the new homes and jobs this Government continues to highlight the demand for.”

Shadi Shekarrizi, Aecom’s rail director for London and the south east, said: “The benefits of this project to these areas will be tremendous and will be felt by communities across Lewisham, Southwark and beyond, potentially providing a £1.5bn boost to the economy each year.”

Mayor Sadiq Khan promised in his re-election manifesto this year “to work with a Labour government to take the necessary steps to give Londoners the services they deserve”, including a “push” for the Bakerloo Line extension.

In a speech earlier this month, he reiterated the pledge, and said he would also continue lobbying for the DLR extension to Thamesmead.

Pictured top: A map of the proposed Bakerloo line extension to Lewisham (Picture: TfL)