Council urges Boris – keep your promise on Bakerloo line extension

The Leader of Southwark Council has written to the new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, urging him to remember the commitment he made as Mayor of London to extend the Bakerloo line.

Southwark and Lewisham councils are working together to get support for the extension. Last year, the two local authorities launched a joint campaign to the Back the Bakerloo.

To date, almost 18,000 people have signed up to pledge their support.

The extension of the line down Old Kent Road (from Elephant and Castle to New Cross Gate) and on into Lewisham will dramatically improve transport links. It will relieve the load on the bus and overground network and it will make the wider south London area more accessible than it’s ever been before.

It’s estimated the extension would also support the delivery of 100,000 new homes for London – helping to tackle the capital’s housing crisis. It would also help deliver new jobs and support the local economy.

20,000 of the new homes would be built in the Old Kent Road area, with 35% affordable housing including 5,000 social rented homes.

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.”

Find out more and sign-up to Back the Bakerloo