Bakerloo line extension

Overview

Update - 5 January 2016

The options assessment report for the Bakerloo line extension (BLE) is now available here. An updated options selection summary report is also available here.

The report considers the possible destinations that were suggested as part of the 2014 public consultation.  It also further considers the options presented during the 2014 consultation.  

Each option was assessed against a range of criteria including the potential to unlock new homes and improve public transport in south east London.

The report indicates that a route to Lewisham, via the Old Kent Road, currently has the strongest case, with the potential to support approximately 25,000 homes. The assessment also found that, by terminating at Lewisham, an extension could be delivered by 2030.

What happens next

Following extensive assessment of possible routes, we are now investigating extending the line to Lewisham via Old Kent Road. A future phase beyond Lewisham will also be further considered in collaboration with stakeholders including Network Rail.

No final decisions have been made and more detailed work will be carried out before further public consultation occurs.

If a decision is made to progress the scheme, and the necessary funding is secured, it is anticipated that construction could commence in around 2023. Completion would be in approximately 2030.

Additional documents

Click here to view a copy of the Responses to main issues raised report (September 2015)

Click here to download the Bakerloo line extension consultation report (March 2015)

Click here for the consultation report broken down by chapter

Click here for the public consultation map (September 2014)

Click here for the 'Background to consultation' document (September 2014)

2014 consultation

Between 30 September and 7 December 2014, a public consultation regarding extending the Bakerloo line from Elephant & Castle station through Southwark towards Lewisham, Bromley and Hayes.

More than 15,000 responses were received from members of the public and stakeholders. Overall, there was a very high level of support for the principle of an extension to the Bakerloo line. More than ninety five percent or responses expressed support for the principle of extending the Bakerloo line.

Details from 2014 consultation

Improving transport connections for southeast London

London is growing and its population is expected to exceed 10 million by 2030. This will create more demand for public transport across London. Whilst we are already investing billions of pounds, further investment is required.

Growth in south east London is forecasted in areas such as Lewisham, Catford, New Cross and the Old Kent Road. It will also occur in parts of outer London such as Bromley.

In south east London, public transport is also crowded in places and many of the roads are congested. Predicted population growth will further increase the pressure on the area’s rail and road networks.

To address these issues, we considered options for extending the Bakerloo line into south east London from its current end point at Elephant & Castle.

The potential Bakerloo line extension benefits

• Putting south east London on the Tube network and supporting development and regeneration in the area
• Improving access to public transport and employment opportunities for local residents
• Improving journey times and network capacity with a high frequency Tube service
• Providing better connections between south east London and central London and Docklands via DLR at Lewisham
• Improving capacity and relieving crowding on National Rail by enabling trains paths to be reallocated to other routes
• Reducing traffic congestion and air pollution by offering new public transport options
   

Options for the tunnelled section through Southwark (1a and 1b)

We considered two options for the tunnelled section between Elephant & Castle and New Cross Gate.

Possible routes through Southwark to Lewisham:

• 1a via the Old Kent Road. This would serve existing communities and support new development and regeneration as well as relieve congestion on the Old Kent Road; or
• 1b via Camberwell and Peckham Rye. This would provide Tube access to central London for the area’s existing communities as well as relieve congestion on Walworth Road.
   

Terminating at Lewisham

We also considered options for where the extension may end. An extended Bakerloo line terminating at Lewisham would cost less and focus on supporting inner London’s growth and regeneration.

It would also support growth and regeneration in the northern parts of the Borough of Lewisham.

Extending the line beyond Lewisham (to Beckenham Junction and Hayes)

If the proposed Bakerloo line extension runs as far as Hayes, it would replace the existing National Rail line between Lewisham and Hayes. It would also utilise the current link to Beckenham Junction. A Tube stop at Beckenham Junction would be in addition to the National Rail station at this location.

Possible extension to Bromley town centre

As part of extending the Bakerloo line beyond Lewisham, there was the possibility of continuing east, in a new tunnelled section, to Bromley town centre. A new direct link between central London and this major centre would support the area’s economy and housing growth. It would also provide a new link between central London and Bromley, as well as connections to Canary Wharf via Lewisham.

Funding the extension

The cost of extending the Bakerloo line, as far as Hayes, is currently estimated between £2 and £3 billion. 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.