The push is on to get Government to commit to ‘game-changing’ Bakerloo line extension
Leading lights in four London councils and the business world have joined forces to urge the Government to make the Bakerloo line extension dream a reality.
A joint call is being made for a commitment to what is seen as a growth-unlocking infrastructure project, ahead of the upcoming spending review and 10-year infrastructure strategy.
The Back the Bakerloo campaign, led by Southwark, Lewisham, Brent and Westminster councils, Central London Forward – a partnership of local councils – and BusinessLDN, a coalition of businesses in the capital, are urgently calling on the government to set the signals to green on the project.
They said: “The Bakerloo line Upgrade and Extension is London’s next big opportunity. This widely-backed and shovel-ready project will deliver the economic growth, homes and jobs London and the UK needs, as well as improving connectivity, social inequalities and sustainable travel.
“We want the government to match London’s ambition by committing to deliver the Bakerloo line Upgrade and Extension in the upcoming 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy and by securing the project’s funding for the next three years in the Comprehensive Spending Review, both expected in June of this year.
The first phase of a proposed extension – which TfL is currently conducting feasibility studies for – is via the Old Kent Road, with new Tube stations at New Cross Gate and Lewisham, with the second phase taking the Bakerloo line beyond Lewisham to Hayes and Beckenham Junction.
This would mean making use of the existing National Rail line by converting it to a London Underground operation. It would see Ladywell, Catford Bridge and Lower Sydenham stations integrated into the tube network.
Estimated long-term benefits would include 107,000 new homes, 150,000 new jobs nationwide, improved London connectivity and cleaner air. TfL’s most recent public consultation showed an overwhelming 89 per cent expressed their support of the Bakerloo Line Extension proposals.
Cllr Kieron Williams, leader of Southwark council said: “The time has come for the Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension – a project that would unlock thousands of new homes along the line and bring a national economic growth boost of £1.5bn, creating thousands of jobs across the UK supply chain. The project is ready to go, and work is already underway on the first station upgrade at Elephant and Castle.”
Mayor of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres said: “For too long south east London has been excluded from the world-class London Underground Network and the benefits of being a well-connected inner London borough. With Lewisham wages nearly 40 per cent lower on average than neighbouring boroughs, the Bakerloo extension would be a game-changer.
“Along with access to better pay and good jobs, we will see our high streets visited more, local businesses benefit, our roads less congested and air quality improved.”
Cllr Adam Hug, leader of Westminster City council and Chair of Central London Forward, said: “The Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension is vital to London and the UK’s drive for inclusive growth and to tackle the housing crisis. It would also mean improving air quality by taking 20,000 car journeys off the road each day.”
Picture top: TfL
