Urgent calls for action on Bakerloo Line extension for 'excluded' south east London

Yahoo

20-03-2025

Councils, businesses, and partners have made an urgent call for the government to commit to the Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension project.
The Back the Bakerloo campaign, led by London councils, Central London Forward, and BusinessLDN, is pushing for this infrastructure project to be included in the upcoming 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy and for funding to be secured in the Comprehensive Spending Review.
The Bakerloo Line is a crucial part of London's transport and economic infrastructure, but with the current train fleet being 16 years past its estimated lifespan, the service is at risk of full withdrawal.
Transport for London (TfL) is seeking to upgrade the line with new rolling stock, which would enable the line to run 27 trains per hour rather than the current 20, as well as making the service more comfortable and reliable for passengers.
The first phase of the proposed extension is via the Old Kent Road, with new tube stations at New Cross Gate and Lewisham.
The second phase would take the Bakerloo Line beyond Lewisham to Hayes and Beckenham Junction, making use of the existing National Rail line by converting it to a London Underground operation.
This would see Ladywell, Catford Bridge, and Lower Sydenham stations integrated into the tube network, helping support development in the south east of London and enabling capacity on the wider rail network.
A recent impact assessment highlights the significant benefits the project will bring nationwide, including injecting at least an extra £1.5 billion into the UK economy per annum, unlocking the delivery of 107,000 new homes in London, and supporting 150,000 good jobs.
Councillor Kieron Williams, leader of Southwark Council (Image: Lewisham Council) Councillor Kieron Williams, leader of Southwark Council, said: "The time has come for the Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension – a shovel-ready project that would unlock thousands of new homes along the line and bring a national economic growth boost of £1.5 billion, creating thousands of jobs across the UK supply chain."
Mayor of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres (Image: Lewisham Council)
Mayor of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres, said: "For too long south east London has been excluded from the world-class London Underground Network and the benefits of being a well-connected inner London borough.
"With Lewisham wages nearly 40 per cent lower on average than neighbouring boroughs, the Bakerloo line extension would be a game-changer for unlocking inclusive growth and opportunities not just in the south east but across the UK."
Councillor Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, said: "The Bakerloo Line is an iconic part of London's underground, its history, and its culture.
"It connects our great landmarks, from Wembley to the West End, and is a vital part of economic infrastructure - with one in six jobs in London within a 12-minute walk of a station.
"But the significant challenges facing the ageing line – and its 10 stations that fall in the borough of Brent – put it at risk of total failure."
Councillor Adam Hug, leader of Westminster City Council and chair of Central London Forward, said: "The Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension is vital to London and the UK's drive for inclusive growth and to tackle the housing crisis.
"We urgently need to build more homes in every part of the country and in London, that means finding new areas for development.
"The project would unlock the delivery of 107,000 new homes in London, playing a major role in meeting the Government's housebuilding targets.
"It would also mean improving air quality by taking 20,000 car journeys off the road each day, supporting inclusive growth across London."
The project has overwhelming support, backed by the Mayor of London, TfL, and London Councils.
As per TfL's most recent public consultation, of the nearly 9,000 respondents, an overwhelming 89 per cent expressed their support of the Bakerloo Line Extension proposals.