A public consultation has been launched into a proposed 4-kilometre extension of London Overground’s Gospel Oak to Barking line.
The extension would connect the Overground network to the proposed Barking Riverside housing development, which has planning permission for 10,800 homes as well as new healthcare, shopping and leisure facilities.
A rail link is essential to the scheme. Without it, only a fraction of the houses, 1,500, can be built on the 443-acre site.
Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “Introducing the services of one of the UK’s most punctual and popular railways will fast-track the renaissance of Barking Riverside.
“Other extensions have proven instrumental in spurring jobs and economic growth – the experience of this part of London should be no different. A link in to the London Overground network and access to central London would without doubt unlock further development in Barking Riverside and help it to realise its full potential.”
Transport for London’s managing director of planning, Michele Dix, said: “This initial consultation is to enable stakeholders and the local community to give us their views on the proposal and influence the design of the scheme going forward.
“We will use these to lay the foundations of a full and extensive public consultation in 2015.”
Having the Barking Riverside Overground station elevated doesn’t make sense if the plan is to later extend the Overground south under the Thames. A bridge over the Thames at this point would necessitate a very high and long (costly) bridge to allow tall ships to pass under.