TfL funding crisis: Bakerloo line extension could be delayed by more than 10 years

The Bakerloo line extension could be delayed for more than a decade if Transport for London doesn’t received government support, City Hall says.

The analysis from the mayor’s office has revealed that if the government fails to give TfL funding, it could cost the city more than £12 billion over the next 10 years.

TfL says that the pandemic has had a huge impact of passenger numbers and revenues - and is asking for help from Downing Street.

It is three days until the current funding deal expires.

City Hall says TfL would move into “managed decline” which would cause projects such as the Piccadilly line signalling upgrades to be canned.

Another example was the Bakerloo line extension, which would continue the Tube from Elephant and Castle through Peckham, and down to Lewisham.

The project has finished its consultation, and the route has been safeguarded, however it had to be paused due to the pandemic.

Now City Hall has said without government support, south-east Londoners could be waiting more than a decade for the Tube.

Sadiq Khan has previously said bus services could be slashed by 18% and Tube services reduced by 9%.

City Hall has said the financial cuts could push transport services back to what they were like in the 70s and 80s.

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “This comprehensive analysis shows the truly dire economic and social impact that a managed decline scenario would have on our capital.

“From failing to progress major projects and undoing our hard work tackling carbon emissions, to halting the delivery of new homes and cutting transport services, there will be knock-on effects in nearly every area of the capital’s economy if the government fails to properly fund TfL – with London’s most disadvantaged groups affected the most.

“It is now only three days until the current TfL funding deal expires, and I continue to urge the Government to step up negotiations so we can save London’s transport network, and with it the economic recovery in the capital and wider country.”

Andy Byford, London’s transport commissioner, added: “There is a clear relationship between London’s economy and the efficient and reliable transport service that supports it.

“There can be no UK recovery from the pandemic without a London recovery, and London’s recovery will rely upon its transport system.

“It is essential that in the days remaining before the current agreement with the government expires, a solution is found that prevents a downward spiral for transport in the capital and allows us to get on with the job of re-energising London to the benefit of the whole country.”

“London contributed £36.2 billion a year more to the Treasury than the government spent in London in 2019-20.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson previously said: “We have repeatedly shown our commitment to supporting London’s transport network through the pandemic, providing more than £4bn in emergency funding to TfL.

“We will continue to discuss any further funding requirements with TfL and the mayor, and any support provided will focus on getting TfL back onto a sustainable financial footing in a way that is fair to taxpayers across the country.”