Hopes for Bakerloo line extension dashed by Rachel Reeves' spending review
Lewisham mayor Brenda Dacres joined the call for government funding to deliver the project. But today's announcement excluded London from UK transport infrastructure spending. Lewisham will be getting a new Bakerloop bus route, "mirroring" the underground line.
The Bakerloo line extension through south east London has been talked about for years, with consultations since 2014. The latest proposals included modernisation of the service and extending it through south east London to Hayes.
The plans would see new underground stations in Southwark, Lewisham and Bromley, connecting areas that are currently poorly served by public transport and improving the economy and job prospects for south east Londoners.
It would also support the local councils' green ambitions - encouraging people to leave their cars at home and use public transport, which would improve road safety, and reduce congestion, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Brenda Dacres, the Lewisham mayor, and other council leaders along with business groups, called for investment funding for the project in the run up to the government's comprehensive spending review.
A survey commissioned by Southwark Council, Lewisham Council and the group Business for Bakerloo found strong support along the length of the line from Harrow to Bromley. In Lewisham, 79% of residents and 84% of businesses supported the proposals.
London mayor Sadiq Khan requested two key transport investments for London - an extension of the Docklands Light Railway to Thamesmead and the extension of the Bakerloo line.
Last week chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £15 bn in transport investment for regions outside London, while today she confirmed that nothing was on offer for transport infrastructure projects in London.
Commenting on today's spending review, Khan said:
“I've been determined to stand up for London and it’s good news that we have won extra resources for transport and housing."
He noted concern about sufficient funding for the police, and added: “It’s also disappointing that there is no commitment today from the Treasury to invest in the new infrastructure London needs.
Projects such as extending the Docklands Light Railway not only deliver economic growth across the country, but also tens of thousands of new affordable homes and jobs for Londoners."
Responding to implicit criticism that London has received more than its fair share of government investment in the past, he concluded:
"The way to level up other regions will never be to level down London. I’ll continue to fight for the investment we need so that we can continue building a fairer, safer and greener London for everyone.”
Nearly half of those who are within reach of the planned Bakerloo line extension live in the 30% most most deprived communities in England. The line would help breakdown economic barriers that residents face in travelling to work and finding employment.
Bakerloop bus route
Transport for London (Tfl) have announced a new bus route, starting in autumn, which will "mirror" the stalled Bakerloo line extension.
The BLI will run between Waterloo and Lewisham, via Burgess Park, Old Kent Road, New Cross Gate, Lewisham station and Lewisham town centre.
It will be an express bus with fewer stops and quicker journey times, following the example of the Superloop buses which were introduced in 2023.
It was hoped that the Bakerloop would begin to deliver some of the benefits of the Bakerloo line extension while the project was in development. Looks like it may be all that we have for a long time.
