Bakerloo line extension backed by all London councils

31 May 2023

The Bakerloo line extension is among the Southwark projects being pushed by all London boroughs under their new infrastructure framework.

The case for extending the Bakerloo line along Old Kent Road to Lewisham and Hayes has long been backed by Southwark and Lewisham Councils, developers, businesses, TfL as per their business plan, and an overwhelming majority of local residents.

Now the scheme has gained cross-party, pan-London support for the many benefits it would unlock, including over 110,000 new homes and 130,000 jobs across the capital.

Technical work to prepare for the Bakerloo line extension continues rapidly, laying the way for Southwark, Lewisham and TfL to seek government approval for the scheme via the Transport and Works Act in 2025 as planned.

In the meantime, a rapid shuttle bus service is being explored that would be funded from local developments. Over £1.25m has been raised for the ‘Bakerloo Bus’ already, which would be accompanied by changes to make it easier and safer for cyclists and pedestrians along Old Kent Road.

The Bakerloo line extension, South East London Combined Heat and Power (SELCHP), and the Rotherhithe Crossing are all Southwark-based projects being promoted by London Councils, an umbrella group made up of all 33 of the capital’s local authorities. The aim of their new framework is to secure investment in major developments that boost economic growth, reduce inequalities, and help achieve net zero across the capital.

Nowhere is this more relevant than along Old Kent Road, where development is gathering real pace:

• Over half of the 3,333 homes which have started or been built are affordable, including over 1,000 social rent homes, as part of the council’s major efforts to tackle the London-wide housing crisis which also includes them building the largest number of new council homes in the country
• More than 9,500 homes have been granted detailed planning permission – more than any other project in the capital
   
• Old Kent Road has the highest number of schemes that mix commercial with residential use in London with over 25,000 m2 commercial floor space that has been started or built (10 per cent affordable), which will support over 1,000 jobs
   
• Over 11,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions will be saved every year through the council extending SELCHP via a District Heating Network to homes and developments around Old Kent Road
   
• £10.6m for local projects has been raised on development schemes through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which the council has used to fund 28 environmental and community projects so far

Cllr Helen Dennis, cabinet member for new homes & sustainable development, said: “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. 

“Despite brutal economic head winds, it’s full steam ahead for Old Kent Road. It’s a neighbourhood helping tip the scales of London’s extreme housing crisis with affordable homes making up the majority of over 3,300 new homes. Over 30 per cent are new social rent homes meaning families in desperate need of secure and suitable housing can plant proper roots in the area, benefitting from the investment in public services and community projects that new developments bring. The Bakerloo line extension will supercharge this sustainable growth, with thousands of new homes people can actually afford.”

For more information, visit www.oldkentroad.org.uk

Page last updated: 31 May 2023