Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled the proposed route for a future extension of the Bakerloo line from Elephant & Castle towards New Cross, Lewisham, Bromley and Hayes.
After Thameslink, and Crossrail, and the extension of the Northern line to Battersea, London is now looking at the Bakerloo line as its next major rail project.
The cost of the extension is estimated at up to £3 billion. Public consultation has just commenced and the findings will be presented in Spring 2015. If the go-ahead is given, and f
unding secured, construction could commence by 2023.
With the capital’s population expected to reach ten million by 2030, the extension will help support anticipated growth in south London by providing improved transport infrastructure and enabling regeneration in a number of the Mayor’s key Opportunity Areas.
As well as providing quicker, more direct journeys into central London, extending the Bakerloo line would also release capacity on the national rail network, enabling more services to operate from other destinations and helping to reduce overcrowding on National Rail services into London Bridge.
The proposed extension would run in a tunnel from Elephant & Castle to Lewisham. Two routes for this have been identified – one via the Old Kent Road and another via Camberwell and Peckham. Beyond Lewisham, the line could then link onto the existing Network Rail line using the South Eastern rail line to Beckenham Junction and Hayes via Ladywell and Catford. Finally, there is also an option to extend the line further on to Bromley town centre.
If the 10 million population of London are prepared to pay the 3bn cost (that’s £300 each) for this, then I’d say go for it. Otherwise, it’s time to spend as much on transport on the English regions as for London.
Nah build the Bakerloo extension and fund more regional rail. And cut the funding for sports and some of the military to compensate.