Transport for London (TfL), on Monday 30th of November 2020 published their response to the 2019 consultation on the Bakerloo line extension. The results revealed overwhelming public support for the scheme.
Nearly nine in ten (89%) respondents supported extending the Bakerloo line from Elephant & Castle to Lewisham along the Old Kent Road. This which would dramatically cut journey times with trains every 2-3 minutes and connect growth areas across London with capacity for over 110,000 new homes and 130,000 new jobs.
Four in five (82%) respondents backed a further extension beyond Lewisham to Hayes and Beckenham Junction. This extension would support growth and regeneration in Catford and Lower Sydenham, areas with some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country. TfL is now working up more detailed plans for how this could be brought forward, including London Underground taking over the existing Hayes railway line.
Feedback from the consultation also informed TfL’s decision to continue developing their proposal for a single, larger entrance at Elephant & Castle station. This would enable more efficient interchanges between the Northern and Bakerloo lines, as well as the locations of construction worksites and names of new stations – ‘Old Kent Road’ and ‘Burgess Park’ – along the Old Kent Road.
Further south along the route, TfL is working closely with Network Rail to ensure upgrades to Lewisham station facilitate the future delivery of an integrated interchange station on the Bakerloo line.
In the report, TfL and the Mayor of London reaffirm their commitment to delivering the Bakerloo line extension, subject to agreement with government on funding which will be needed to get the Bakerloo line extension built. The report also outlines their immediate priority to safeguard land required for the route, an important milestone in which they are in “constructive dialogue” with the Department for Transport.
Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham Council, 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 is 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.”
Councillor Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council, said, “We’re buoyed by the resounding support from Londoners who clearly share our long-held belief that the Bakerloo line extension is essential to transforming the lives of people living and working in Old Kent Road. Benefits of the extension are abundantly clear: new jobs, new services and the key to unlocking 20,000 new homes, including 7,000 genuinely affordable homes, in the area. How long before the Government is ready to buy into the Bakerloo line extension as a shovel-ready scheme primed to help us Build Back Better?”