Forget Crossrail, Boris Johnson proposes south London Tube extension to Camberwell, Lewisham and Bromley

Are you a south Londoner, fed up with the lack of Tube infrastructure, forced to rely on overcrowded overground trains for your daily commute? Me too.

 

So maybe you should respond to this consultation over a proposed extension to the Bakerloo line, bringing the Tube out to New Cross, Lewisham, Bromley and Hayes.

 

The proposed extension could take one of two tunnelled routes – the first via the Old Kent Road “to support major development plans for this area”.

 

The second option being consulted on would be to go through Camberwell and Peckham. Beyond Lewisham, the line could then link onto the existing South Eastern rail line to Beckenham Junction, Catford and Hayes via Ladywell. 

 

There is also an option to extend the route to Bromley.

 

Mayor of London Boris Johnson today launched a public consultation on the £3bn project. The routes have been identified “as they improve connections to areas less well served by public transport, while supporting economic growth and prosperity”. 

 

Johnson said: “An extension of the Bakerloo line is one of my top priorities and I have asked TfL to bring forward these plans at pace. 

 

"It would provide a vital new transport link for the people of south London and help to spur jobs, new homes and regeneration in this part of the capital. It has huge potential to breathe a new lease of life into a swathe of London’s opportunity areas, as well as freeing up capacity on national rail lines."

 

He added: “As London’s population continues to rise it is essential that we expand the transport network in this way if we are to meet Londoners’ needs and ensure our city’s continued competitiveness and success.”

 

TfL’s managing director of planning Michèle Dix said: “This is an opportunity for local residents to help shape an extension of the Bakerloo line which will deliver much needed transport infrastructure to south east London.”

 

The bad news is that even if it gets the go-ahead, construction won't start until 2023 and it won't be complete until the 2030s. But hey, with retirement ages being ever pushed back we'll all still be here right?

 

The public consultation will run from 30 September until 7 December 2014. Further information about the consultation and the questionnaire can be found here.

 

A report on the findings of this consultation will be presented to the Mayor of London in spring 2015 and made publicly available on the consultation website.