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After years of ideas, consultations and route plans, it looks the Bakerloo line extension through south-east London could finally be happening. But your help is needed to get it over the finish line.
Back the Bakerloo campaign
Back the Bakerloo is a joint campaign between Southwark and Lewisham Councils— the two boroughs with most to gain from the proposed extension — to get the whole of London backing it. You can show your support for the elongation of the brown line by signing up on the website.
Sadiq Khan has already backed the extension, but as with many things, the main issue at present is money. A figure of £3.1bn has been thrown around, and these things have a bit of a reputation for going over budget. TfL has yet to raise the funds required for the route, so the next step is for the councils to work with the mayor to lobby central government to pay for it. The more people who sign up to #BackTheBakerloo, the stronger the case for funding.
Benefits of the Bakerloo line extension
Don't live in south-east London? Never been to Lewisham in your life? You probably think it's got nothing to do with you. But, according to the Back the Bakerloo campaign, trains and signalling across the entirety of the Bakerloo line will be upgraded while the extension is being built (we already know the 1972 stock is on its way out), meaning your Wembley to Oxford Circus commute could be slicker and more comfortable as a result.
Of course, if you do live in south-east London's tube network void, you probably don't need persuading. But aside from the obvious benefit of a quicker commute, the extension is expected to bring jobs to the area, as well as providing infrastructure for new homes being built. It's also hoped that it'll encourage more people off the roads, reducing vehicle use and air pollution in the area.
Cllr Brenda Dacres, Lewisham Cabinet Member said:
I'm backing the Bakerloo because it will bring new jobs, more affordable homes and much improved transport links to Lewisham. It is central to unlocking the borough’s future economic growth
Planned route for the Bakerloo line extension
TfL ran a consultation on four proposed routes for the Bakerloo line extension back in 2015. In February 2017, TfL announced that it was planning a route which takes the Bakerloo line down to Lewisham via Old Kent Road, building four new Underground stations along the way.
If all goes to plan, building work could begin in 2023, and the extension could be open for passengers in 2028-2029.
There is the possibility of a further extension down towards Hayes after this, but let's scrape together the dosh for Phase 1 first, eh?
For more information on the proposed route and new stations, see the TfL website.
