By Ashley Karen
Transport for London’s (TfL’s) presented Bakerloo line extension has taken a step ahead after all 33 of London’s local authorities advocated it as part of a new infrastructure framework for the capital.
Under the schedules, the Bakerloo line will be developed from Elephant and Castle to Lewisham. Also, it will add a new Bakerloo line ticket hall at Elephant and Castle, take the route along Old Kent Road, where two new stations are submitted, and construct a new station at New Cross Gate.
The expansion has previously been supported by Southwark and Lewisham Councils, developers, businesses, and TfL as per its business program.
Currently, the project has achieved the support of all 33 of London’s local authorities as part of its infrastructure framework.
The new framework intends to assure investment in significant developments that enhance economic growth, decrease inequalities, and assist with achieving net zero across the capital.
Technical work to prepare for the Bakerloo line extension continues to advance. This work will lay the way for Southwark, Lewisham and TfL to pursue government authorization for the project through the Transport and Works Act in 2025 as scheduled.
Helen Dennis, Southwark Council cabinet member for new homes and sustainable development, expressed: “The message from London is clear: the capital’s prosperity hinges on the Bakerloo line extension, alongside other key developments. It’s not a question of ‘if’ but ‘when’. The weight of all London councils adds to the mounting business case for a scheme set to kick-start our city’s growth sustainably.”
As part of the second phase of a regeneration project, a new Elephant and Castle tube station entrance and ticket hall for the submitted extension is also being constructed, which will make a significant mixed-use development at Elephant Central.
Work to construct the station box began in January 2022. It incorporates a reinforced concrete structure that will form the shell of the new station entrance and ticket hall. Once finished, it will deliver over 1,700m2 of new concourse space for passengers.
In May, TfL kicked off procurement for the tunnelling works contract on stage one of the Elephant and Castle station capacity advancement.
The presented Bakerloo line extension has been in the pipeline for some time, with the route possibilities first put out for consultation in 2014 and the station and shaft locations in 2017. Another discussion was launched in 2019, which delivered more detail on the tunnelling work.
