Sites to be secured for Bakerloo Line extension to Lewisham, says Transport Secretary

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has confirmed the government has approved plans to safeguard the land needed to construct the proposed Bakerloo Line Extension to Lewisham.

His revelation came after a question from Bermondsey and Old Southwark  MP Neil Coyle on Thursday, about what he was doing to ensure spades were in the ground by 2024.

Shapps said: “I just approved the safeguarding of the land to ensure it can happen.”

Prime minister Boris Johnson has previously backed construction of the Bakerloo Line Extension to start in 2024, in time for services to begin by 2030.

The project involves building two new stations between Elephant & Castle and Lewisham. They are likely to be named Burgess Park and Old Kent Road, based on views from a consultation exercise.

Mr Coyle said: “Great news for the Bakerloo Line Extension! I’ve been pushing for this since being elected in 2015 and am really pleased the Government have now confirmed the land safeguarding to me in Parliament and in writing to the councils and GLA. “

“This brings the extension a big step closer and all eyes are now on the timeframe for delivery with construction needing to start in 2024 to ensure the Line is operational on time, delivering greater transport accessibility for Londoners and a national economic boost in jobs and housebuilding too! This win-win after such devastating economic damage through covid and job losses is crucial to us all.”

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that it will focus on New Cross Gate, to the north of the Tube station where there is currently a Sainsbury’s supermarket as its primary tunnelling site with further tunnelling work undertaken from an Old Kent Road site.

But TfL has warned it needs a viable funding package and has looked at several methods of funding the project, including a landowner levy so property owners along the route contribute to the cost.

It is investigating how it could deliver a further extension of the Bakerloo line to Beckenham Junction and Hayes. This was supported by 82 per cent of consultees. This section would involve converting existing Network Rail track to carry Bakerloo services so does not require any safeguarding.

Heidi Alexander, Deputy Mayor for Transport, Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council, and Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham, said in a joint statement: “It is a hugely positive step that the Government is proceeding with safeguarding directions for the Bakerloo line extension, preventing premature development on sites required to deliver the project.

“Extending the Bakerloo line, delivered together with an upgrade of the existing line, would connect a historically underserved part of London to the tube network, whilst supporting the delivery of thousands of new homes and jobs. It has the support of nearly nine in 10 respondents to its most recent public consultation, as well as from businesses and local authorities along the proposed route, which will be protected once the safeguarding directions are finalised in the coming months.

“We will continue to work with government and others on options for funding so this vital project can be delivered and its many benefits realised.”