Feasibility study sees no major obstacle to creating Clapham Junction Tube station
By Charlotte Lillywhite, Local Democracy Reporter
An investigation has found there are no physical constraints to extending the Northern line to Clapham Junction, in a boost to the proposal.
Wandsworth council said there are no engineering or geological restrictions that would prevent the London Underground being extended to the busy station, after completing initial investigations into the proposal.
Labour councillor Jenny Yates, cabinet member for transport, said the findings of the study will factor into any long-term plans for the area. The major station, managed by Network Rail, is home to the Overground and National Rail services, but it does not have an Underground line.
Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station opened as the newest stations on the Northern line in 2021. Transport for London (TfL) previously said it designed these stations in such a way that would allow for a further extension to Clapham Junction in the future, although it had no current plans to do so.
A new report by council officers said extending the Northern line to Clapham Junction could attract more passengers, reduce overcrowding on existing services and support development in the area. It confirmed the authority has now completed an initial feasibility study into the potential extension.
It comes as part of wider plans being drawn up for the regeneration of Clapham Junction. The London Plan 2021, from the Greater London Authority (GLA), indicates the area could accommodate 2,500 new homes and 2,500 extra jobs, on top of the capacity for growth in the Winstanley and York Road regeneration area.
The council is putting together a masterplan for Clapham Junction to translate these policies into development proposals. It is working with stakeholders, including the GLA, TfL, Network Rail and landowners, to meet emerging targets for the area and to improve the station.
The report said: “The first stage of the work has been addressing the opportunity to resolve the station’s issues with circulation and capacity whilst also enabling better access across the railway for the benefit of both passengers and non-passengers.”
The authority is carrying out a public consultation asking for people’s views on Clapham Junction.
Cllr Yates said: “Clapham Junction is a thriving shopping, residential and leisure district and one of the key transport hubs in the borough. We believe there is even more potential that can be unlocked in the area and that is why we are working with the local community and key partners on a new masterplan.”
Pictured top: View to the city from Clapham Junction rail station (Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga)