Lewisham and Southwark councils have welcomed Transport for London (TfL)’s commitment to extend the Bakerloo line to Lewisham following a consultation last year.
Thanks to the joint efforts of Lewisham and Southwark councils Back the Bakerloo campaign, the consultation undertaken last autumn received over 8,000 responses, with 89% supporting the plan to extend the tube line from Elephant & Castle to Lewisham.
TfL’s response to the consultation revealed:
Nearly nine in ten respondents (89 per cent) supported extending the Bakerloo line from Elephant and Castle to Lewisham along Old Kent Road.
This would dramatically cut journey times – with trains every 2-3 minutes – and connect growth areas across London with the capacity for more than 110,000 new homes and 130,000 new jobs.
Four in five respondents (82 per cent) backed a further extension beyond Lewisham to Hayes and Beckenham Junction.
This would support growth and regeneration in Catford and Lower Sydenham (both of which have some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country). The Transport for London is currently preparing more detailed plans for how this project can be brought forward, including taking over the existing Hayes railway line.
As a result of the consultation, two new stations are likely to be built between Elephant & Castle and Lewisham, and the names of these are likely to be Burgess Park and Old Kent Road.
TfL has confirmed that, following consultation on the tunnelling work, it will develop proposals to use New Cross Gate as its primary tunnelling worksite with further tunnelling at Old Kent Road 1.
Responding to the report’s publication, Lewisham Council mayor Damien Egan said:
“Today’s fantastic results from TfL’s consultation shows overwhelming support for the Bakerloo line extension to Hayes from residents in Lewisham and Bromley.
It’s now more important than ever for this project to continue. The much-needed extension would connect Lewisham residents to jobs across London and bring huge growth to the local economy and vital housing for people living in Ladywell, Catford, Lower Sydenham and beyond.
The Bakerloo Line would transform public transport across Lewisham and support our Climate Emergency plans for reduced car use and increased active travel in the borough.
We need the government to work with TfL to secure this vital piece of infrastructure.
The Prime Minister has previously said, “we should get on with fantastic projects like extending the Bakerloo line”. We whole heartedly agree and will continue to campaign for this once in a generation scheme.”
