Bakerloo Line Extension Statement

Southwark and Lewisham remain committed to the Bakerloo Line Extension. The two councils have issued a joint-statement in response to doubts cast over future funding for the project.

Cllr Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council and Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham Council, said in a joint statement:

“It is disappointing that government game-playing with TfL’s finances means that they are unable to request funding for their largest projects – including the Bakerloo line extension – at this time.

This does not, however, deflect either from the overwhelming case for extending the Bakerloo line along Old Kent Road to Lewisham and Hayes nor the progress on the immediate work to move the project forward, which continues apace.

Over the last few years, we have worked closely with TfL to bring this extension forward and they have the full support of both Lewisham and Southwark councils in pushing ahead with their immediate plans for the scheme. These include safeguarding the station sites and route, developing the overall design, and drawing up a business plan for future government funding; all long-anticipated steps in the process towards delivery.

We welcome TfL’s reassurance that this work is an ongoing priority for them.

Momentum behind the scheme continues to build with Southwark Council recently submitting a bid to acquire the Toys R Us site, intended for the station on Old Kent Road, and Lewisham Council advancing plans for a major new interchange at Lewisham and transformation of Catford Town Centre.

We remain fully committed to the Bakerloo line extension and will do everything in our power, working together with Sadiq Khan, to deliver what will be an essential piece of infrastructure for London’s recovery from COVID-19.

It is vital that government works with TfL to agree a longer term funding package so that the thousands of new homes and jobs which the project is set to bring are not put at risk.”

Find out more about the Bakerloo line extension.