London council urges Boris - Keep your Promise on Bakerloo Extension

6 August 2019

The Leader of Southwark Council has written to new Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging him to remember the commitment he made as London’s Mayor to make the extension of the Bakerloo line a top priority.

Southwark and Lewisham Councils are working together to get support for the extension and launched the Back the Bakerloo line campaign last year. To date almost 18,000 people have signed up to pledge their support.

The extension of the line, from Elephant and Castle, down the Old Kent Road in Southwark and out into Lewisham from New Cross Gate, will dramatically improve transport links. It would relieve the load on the bus and Overground network, and make the wider South London area more accessible than it’s ever been before.

It is estimated the extension would also support the delivery of 100,000 new homes for London – with 20,000 in Southwark in the Old Kent Road Opportunity Area, with 35 per cent affordable housing including 5,000 social rented homes – helping to tackle London’s housing crisis. It would also help deliver jobs and support the local economy.

Cllr Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, said: “The extension will make a huge difference to people living and working in Old Kent Road, as well as bringing wider benefits to London.

“There will be a new town centre along one of London’s most famous thoroughfares – Old Kent Road – and the extension is key to delivering more affordable homes, jobs and services to this part of London and opening up new opportunities for people across the city.

“Whilst we realise there are many pressing matters for our new Prime Minister to attend to, not least Brexit, this is a real and viable project that already has the support of the current Mayor and I am confident this will be a significant legacy for London and the UK.

“We are urging our new Prime Minister to remember the commitment he made during his time as Mayor and continue to make the extension of the Bakerloo Line a priority.”

You can read more about Back the Bakerloo and sign up to support the campaign at www.backthebakerloo.org.uk
 

Page last updated: 06 August 2019