London Underground £3 billion extension 08 Oct 2014

Two possible routes are identified for the underground section of a Bakerloo Line extension to the Underground in London.

The new connection – development of which is estimated by Transport for London (TfL) to cost £3 billion – would extend the line southwestwards from the current terminus at Elephant & Castle Station, in the London borough of Lambeth, via a new underground extension to New Cross Gate. From here it would run a short distance to Lewisham Station, after which it would utilise already-existing National Rail track for a connection with Hayes to the south (Fig 1). A spur to Bromley is also possible.

Bakerloo Line extension options

The proposal will now go through a public consultation phase (ending 30 December) before more detailed planning can go ahead. TfL will also actively seek out development and funding opportunities. Two options are presented for the underground section:

• Option 1a would run via two new stations serving Old Kent Road, a distance of approximately 5.6km, along a route that broadly follows the main A2 highway to New Cross Gate.
• Option 1b would run via Camberwell and Peckham Rye Station through to New Cross Gate, a distance of approximately 7.1km.

A London Underground spokesman said that without commercial funding it was unlikely that the development would go ahead. “As part of our next phase of work, we will work with the London boroughs, through which the proposed extension would run, to identify possible options for project funding.

“As has been the case for other major infrastructure projects, such as Crossrail and the Northern Line Extension, any funding package is likely to include contributions from new residential and commercial developments along the proposed extension. This means that in order for the Bakerloo Line extension to be progressed, further development along the proposed route is required. It is unlikely the extension can happen without this new development.”

One possible solution to keeping the cost of the project down is to end the Underground extension at Lewisham, and retain the rail infrastructure south of here as it is, though this would still necessitate the underground works between Elephant & Castle and New Cross Gate.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “An extension of the Bakerloo Line is one of my top priorities and I have asked TfL to bring forward these plans at pace. It would provide a vital new transport link for the people of south London and help to spur jobs, new homes and regeneration in this part of the capital. It has huge potential to breathe a new lease of life into a swathe of London's designated Opportunity Areas, as well as freeing up capacity on national rail lines.“