TfL's exciting and vital Bakerloo line expansion: new trains, departures every two minutes and more homes

The proposals, which depend on government funding, would allow 27 trains per hour to run on the line, seven more than the current 20.

On Thursday (March 20), four Labour London council leaders renewed their calls for the government to commit cash to deliver the upgrade and extension of the 119-year-old Underground route. The leaders of Brent, Lewisham, Southwark and Westminster councils said Chancellor Rachel Reeves should commit to deliver the transport project in the upcoming 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy and secure initial funding for the scheme in the Spending Review, both expected in June.

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.”

Brenda Dacres, Mayor of Lewisham, 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.”

The first phase of the proposed extension—which TfL is currently conducting feasibility studies for—would see new Tube stations at the Old Kent Road and Burgess Park in Southwark. The line would then continue South East to New Cross Gate and Lewisham.

Check out the latest TfL news from LondonWorld

The second phase would take the Bakerloo line beyond Lewisham to Hayes and Beckenham Junction. The existing National Rail line would be incorporated into the London Underground network and Ladywell, Catford Bridge and Lower Sydenham stations would be converted into Tube stations.

As part of the planned revamp of the London Underground route, the Bakerloo line’s 53-year-old trains would be replaced. The current fleet is 16 years past its estimated lifespan and the trains are the oldest in regular passenger service in Britain.

The planned upgrade would support 150,000 jobs in Goole, East Yorkshire—where the new trains would be built. Around 107,000 new homes are predicted to be built around the new Tube stations in London, if the project goes ahead. The scheme is expected to add £1.5 billion to the UK economy every year.

Go beyond the story - sign up for our LondonWorld newsletter

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said without the government’s commitment, the Bakerloo line was ‘at risk of total failure’. Out of the ageing Underground line’s current 25 stations, 10 fall in Brent.

Councillor Adam Hug, Leader of Westminster City Council, 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. It would also mean improving air quality by taking 20,000 car journeys off the road each day, supporting inclusive growth across London.”