November 25th 2024.
The dream of having a Tube line to South East London is slowly turning into a reality, but there are still some obstacles that need to be overcome. The Underground is about to undergo one of its biggest changes in years, as plans are in place to extend the Bakerloo line into South East London.
For over a decade, Londoners living south of the river have been eagerly anticipating this extension. Although the area currently has access to trains, Overground, and DLR connections, residents feel that the southern part of the capital is not as well-connected as the northern part. The extension of the Bakerloo line would greatly improve the connectivity in this area, which has been lacking compared to its northern counterpart.
However, the recent Budget announcement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves has cast some doubt on the plans. The Budget did not allocate any specific funds for the Bakerloo line extension, despite Transport for London receiving a large sum of money for its capital renewals program. This is a major setback, as projects of this scale come with a hefty price tag and can take several years to complete.
So what exactly are the plans for the Bakerloo line extension? Local leaders have argued that it would have a huge impact, unlocking 20,400 homes and 9,700 jobs, and boosting the economy by nearly £2 billion. Unfortunately, the fate of the extension is now uncertain due to the lack of funding in the recent Budget. Mayor Sadiq Khan had hoped to receive at least £250 million, but had originally requested £569 million last year. Some of the funds allocated to Transport for London will go towards the new Piccadilly line trains and Elizabeth line carriages, but there is no specific mention of the Bakerloo line extension.
According to a TfL document published in February, the estimated cost for the Bakerloo line extension is between £5 and £8 billion, and this is in addition to the planned DLR extension which is estimated to cost £1.7 billion. This is a significant amount of money, and it is unclear where the funding will come from. The Mayor has expressed his commitment to securing a long-term funding package to make this project a reality, stating that it would be a glimpse of the London we can build.
TfL is currently seeking funding for the Bakerloo extension, and they have appointed Aecom and WW+P architects to carry out a feasibility study on the plans. This study will focus on the design of the four new stations that would be added to the Bakerloo line. However, construction for the line may not begin until the 2030s, depending on the availability of funds. TfL has suggested that trains could start running by 2040, but for now, this is just a rough estimate.
In the meantime, the Mayor has introduced a new express bus service, known as the "Bakerloop," which would connect Lewisham, New Cross Gate, Old Kent Road, and Burgess Park with Elephant & Castle along the proposed Tube route. This is part of his election manifesto and is seen as a temporary solution until the Bakerloo line extension is completed.
Overall, the extension of the Bakerloo line into South East London is an important project that would greatly benefit the area. However, the lack of funding in the recent Budget has put the plans in jeopardy. It remains to be seen if the necessary funds will be secured to make this dream a reality.
For years, Londoners living in the southern part of the city have been eagerly anticipating the extension of the Bakerloo line into South East London. Despite having a train, Overground, and DLR connection, the area still feels disconnected compared to the well-connected northern part of the city. But now, it seems that the dream of a Tube line to South East London may finally become a reality.
Plans for the Bakerloo line extension have been in the works for over a decade, with local leaders arguing that it could bring significant benefits to the area. Not only would it unlock thousands of new homes and jobs, but it could also provide a much-needed boost to the economy. However, the fate of the extension is now uncertain after the recent Budget failed to allocate any money specifically for the project.
This is not surprising, as projects of this scale come with a hefty price tag and take years to complete. The estimated cost of the Bakerloo line extension is between £5-8 billion, according to a report published by Transport for London in February. Additionally, there is also a planned DLR extension that is estimated to cost £1.7 billion.
Despite the absence of funding in the Budget, London Mayor Sadiq Khan remains optimistic about the project. He had previously stated that anything over £250 million would be considered a win, and although he had asked for £569 million last year, he believes that a long-term funding package could make the extension a reality.
TfL, along with the support of the London boroughs of Lewisham and Southwark, is currently seeking funding for the project. In the meantime, they have appointed Aecom and WW+P architects to conduct a feasibility study and design the four new stations that would be part of the extension.
However, even with the ongoing efforts to secure funding, the extension may not happen until the 2030s. And even then, it could take several years for the trains to start running. In the meantime, to provide some relief to the residents of South East London, the Mayor has introduced a new express bus service called the "Bakerloop" as part of his election manifesto. This service would connect Lewisham, New Cross Gate, Old Kent Road, and Burgess Park with Elephant & Castle, following the proposed route of the Tube extension.
The potential extension of the Bakerloo line is a major change for the Underground and could greatly benefit the residents of South East London. It would not only improve connectivity but also bring much-needed economic growth to the area. Despite some obstacles that still need to be overcome, it seems that the dream of a Tube line to South East London is slowly becoming a reality.
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