4 days ago
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.
