Latest news with #BrendaDacres


The Independent
10-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
New bus route to join London's 194km Superloop expansion
A new bus route named the 'Bakerloop' is set to improve transport connections in south- east London and will launch for passengers this autumn. The express bus service will connect Waterloo station to Elephant and Castle and Lewisham, and will run via Old Kent Road, Burgess Park and New Cross Gate. It is set to mirror the proposed Bakerloo tube line extension route, and is part of the Superloop network expansion, a 194km network of bus services that has improved transport in the city's suburbs. Consultation on the BL1 route closed on 14 March, with Transport for London (TfL) stating that it received mostly positive support from residents. Geoff Hobbs, TfL's director of public transport service planning, said: "It is great to see support for the 'Bakerloop' express bus running between Waterloo and Lewisham which would enable us to improve public transport connectivity and capacity between southeast London and central London by delivering some of the same benefits that the Bakerloo line extension would.' The BL1 is due to operate every 12 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytimes, and then every 15 minutes during Sundays, evenings and early mornings. Feedback from local stakeholders and residents found that 82 per cent agreed the route would be more convenient, and 79 per cent said it would result in a quicker bus journey time. The mayor of Lewisham Brenda Dacres said: "Lewisham welcomes the launch of the Bakerloop bus and thanks the Mayor and TfL for taking action to address the long-standing transport gap in south east London. 'But this must be just the beginning. With growing public support, we will continue to press for the Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension - a game-changing project that will mean faster journeys and new opportunities for our community as well as thousands of homes, jobs and economic growth unlocked for the UK." Three other routes have also been proposed, which would travel between Ealing Broadway and Hendon, Stratford and Chingford Hatch and Clapham Junction and Elham station. Consultations for all three are set to begin in autumn.


BBC News
10-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Waterloo to Lewisham 'Bakerloop' bus route to launch in autumn
A new bus route named the Bakerloop is set to launch in autumn to connect stations and areas in south-east for London (TfL) said the BL1 express bus service will run between Waterloo and Lewisham and is part of the Superloop network areas the bus will mirror the proposed Bakerloo Tube line extension route covering stops such as Old Kent Road and Burgess consultation on the BL1 route closed on 14 March and received mostly positive support from residents and local stakeholders, TfL said. 'Just the beginning' A bus stop that was proposed on Station Road towards Waterloo has been removed to allow a "quicker and more direct route" for the Bakerloop when leaving of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres said: "Lewisham welcomes the launch of the Bakerloop bus and thanks the mayor and TfL for taking action to address the long-standing transport gap in southeast London. But this must be just the beginning."TfL's director of Public Transport Service Planning said that they will monitor all bus services to accurately reflect customer demand in the area. The BL1 will operate between 05:00 and 00:30 every 12 minutes during the daytime from Monday to Saturday and every 15 minutes in the evenings and on has also revealed new plans for three further routes - consultations on these proposals are set to begin this autumn.


Time Out
01-06-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Londoners overwhelmingly support the Bakerloo line extension, according to a new report
It's not everyday that you can get a majority of Londoners to agree on something. From festivals at Brockwell Park to developments on Brick Lane and the newly opened Silvertown Tunnel, there are countless things that have the city's population riled up and divided. But there's at least one thing that appears to bring (most) Londoners together... the long-awaited Bakerloo line extension. If you're not up to speed, the Bakerloo line extension has been a work in progress for the last 11 years but is still yet to get the official green light. TfL plans to extend the 119-year-old line into the southeast of the city, past Elephant and Castle and ending in Lewisham. It also wants to modernise it with new stations and new trains. You can read about the plans in full here. Now, Southwark, Lewisham, Brent and Westminster councils have surveyed local businesses and residents to get their take on the proposed Bakerloo line extension. And, turns out, the overwhelming majority support the plans. Let's break the numbers down. The poll, commissioned by the councils and Central London Forward, found that nine in 10 businesses (89 percent) back the proposal, three quarters believe it would have a positive impact on their operations and 70 percent believe it would benefit them. Just over half of the businesses agreed that the extension would bring them more customers and 56 percent said it would boost their chances for expansion in the future. When it comes to residents, 76 percent of those surveyed said that they are in support of the Bakerloo extension. Mayor of Lewisham Brenda Dacres said: 'For too long, parts of Lewisham have been cut off from the Tube network — but the Bakerloo Line Extension changes that. This project has huge support from our community because it means better access to jobs, easier commutes, and real opportunities for local residents and businesses. 'It's time to bring the Underground to Lewisham, Catford and beyond to supercharge connections across South East London, and deliver benefits that will ripple across London and the UK.' Despite all that support, the Bakerloo line extension is still waiting on the approval that actually counts – the government's. If the project gets the official blessing and funding it needs, TfL says it could begin in 2030 and be complete by 2040.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
All those who support Bakerloo Line extension through Lewisham and Bromley
New independent research has shown overwhelming support for the Bakerloo Line upgrade and extension. The findings reveal that 76 per cent of residents and 89 per cent of businesses along Transport for London's (TfL) proposed route, from Harrow to Bromley, are in favour of the project. Only one per cent of residents and two per cent of businesses oppose the plans. The proposed upgrade and extension of the Bakerloo Line is an infrastructure project that aims to boost London's connectivity, unlocking homes, jobs, and economic growth. The research, conducted by Survation and Norstat, surveyed more than 2,000 residents and businesses from London boroughs along the proposed route. The findings show that 78 per cent of Southwark residents and 90 per cent of businesses, 79 per cent of Lewisham residents and 84 per cent of businesses, and 69 per cent of Bromley residents and 89 per cent of businesses support the proposals. The project aims to break down long-standing transport and economic barriers, as parts of Southwark and the entirety of Lewisham and Bromley are currently excluded from the London Underground network. The research shows that 57 per cent of residents believe the upgrade and extension would improve their ability to travel to work, and 45 per cent say it would unlock new employment opportunities. Mayor of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres, said: "For too long, parts of Lewisham have been cut off from the Tube network, but the Bakerloo Line Extension changes that. "This project has huge support from our community because it means better access to jobs, easier commutes, and real opportunities for local residents and businesses." Councillor Kieron Williams, leader of Southwark, added: "The Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension is vital to deliver the growth our country needs. "It would bring a £1.5bn per year boost to our national economy, supporting over 150,000 jobs across Britain." The project could also stimulate growth for businesses, with 63 per cent of businesses stating it could enable their business to grow, and more than half agreeing it could lead them to expand in the future. The project also has the potential to contribute to the UK's journey to net zero, with 45 per cent of residents saying they would consider leaving their car at home for more journeys as a result of the new and improved line. Professor Frances Corner, OBE, of Goldsmiths, University of London, said: "The proposed extension of the Bakerloo Line through Lewisham represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unlock jobs, growth and educational opportunity in our borough." James Glancey, founder and CEO of James Glancey Design in Southwark, added: "We are hugely in favour of the Bakerloo Line Extension. "We have a team of 60 full-time and a station close to Ilderton Road will connect us with other parts of London and make it easier for the team to get in and out of work. "I can't tell you how much it will improve the neighbourhood and make this part of London function in a vastly improved way."
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Urgent calls for action on Bakerloo Line extension for 'excluded' south east London
Councils, businesses, and partners have made an urgent call for the government to commit to the Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension project. The Back the Bakerloo campaign, led by London councils, Central London Forward, and BusinessLDN, is pushing for this infrastructure project to be included in the upcoming 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy and for funding to be secured in the Comprehensive Spending Review. The Bakerloo Line is a crucial part of London's transport and economic infrastructure, but with the current train fleet being 16 years past its estimated lifespan, the service is at risk of full withdrawal. Transport for London (TfL) is seeking to upgrade the line with new rolling stock, which would enable the line to run 27 trains per hour rather than the current 20, as well as making the service more comfortable and reliable for passengers. The first phase of the proposed extension is via the Old Kent Road, with new tube stations at New Cross Gate and Lewisham. The second phase would take the Bakerloo Line beyond Lewisham to Hayes and Beckenham Junction, making use of the existing National Rail line by converting it to a London Underground operation. This would see Ladywell, Catford Bridge, and Lower Sydenham stations integrated into the tube network, helping support development in the south east of London and enabling capacity on the wider rail network. A recent impact assessment highlights the significant benefits the project will bring nationwide, including injecting at least an extra £1.5 billion into the UK economy per annum, unlocking the delivery of 107,000 new homes in London, and supporting 150,000 good jobs. Councillor Kieron Williams, leader of Southwark Council (Image: Lewisham Council) Councillor Kieron Williams, leader of Southwark Council, said: "The time has come for the Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension – a shovel-ready project that would unlock thousands of new homes along the line and bring a national economic growth boost of £1.5 billion, creating thousands of jobs across the UK supply chain." Mayor of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres (Image: Lewisham Council) Mayor of Lewisham, Brenda Dacres, said: "For too long south east London has been excluded from the world-class London Underground Network and the benefits of being a well-connected inner London borough. "With Lewisham wages nearly 40 per cent lower on average than neighbouring boroughs, the Bakerloo line extension would be a game-changer for unlocking inclusive growth and opportunities not just in the south east but across the UK." Councillor Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, said: "The Bakerloo Line is an iconic part of London's underground, its history, and its culture. "It connects our great landmarks, from Wembley to the West End, and is a vital part of economic infrastructure - with one in six jobs in London within a 12-minute walk of a station. "But the significant challenges facing the ageing line – and its 10 stations that fall in the borough of Brent – put it at risk of total failure." Councillor Adam Hug, leader of Westminster City Council and chair of Central London Forward, said: "The Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension is vital to London and the UK's drive for inclusive growth and to tackle the housing crisis. "We urgently need to build more homes in every part of the country and in London, that means finding new areas for development. "The project would unlock the delivery of 107,000 new homes in London, playing a major role in meeting the Government's housebuilding targets. "It would also mean improving air quality by taking 20,000 car journeys off the road each day, supporting inclusive growth across London." The project has overwhelming support, backed by the Mayor of London, TfL, and London Councils. As per TfL's most recent public consultation, of the nearly 9,000 respondents, an overwhelming 89 per cent expressed their support of the Bakerloo Line Extension proposals.