Mayor urges Government to build Bakerloo Line Extension to hit growth targets

In response to the Chancellor’s Growth Plan announced on Friday, Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham, and Cllr Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council, have called on the government to deliver the Bakerloo Line modernisation and extension.

The government’s new plan aims to make growth its “central economic mission, setting a target of reaching 2.5%” and so Lewisham and Southwark Councils are renewing their campaign for the investment needed to bring the London Underground to south east London and renew the oldest line in London’s transport network.

The Bakerloo Line Extension would yield over 110,000 new homes and support 130,000 jobs across the capital, just at the time our nation is struggling to recover from the pandemic and the economy risks sliding into recession.

It would also give over 100,000 residents across central and south Lewisham a new transport link to central London while creating a more reliable and greener option the entire length of the line, from Harrow, through Westminster and on to south east London. It will relieve congestion on London’s roads and bus services, improve the capital’s air quality and reduce journey times across the city.

The cost in lost economic output if the government chose not to progress the upgrade project could be up to £6.4bn according to analysis from the Greater London Authority.

Damien Egan, Mayor of Lewisham, said:

“London is the beating heart of the British economy and the Bakerloo Line extension is vital to Lewisham and London’s continued growth. It would create tens of thousands of new jobs and homes, as well as make our capital city greener. It is a project supported by the overwhelming majority of local residents who need new social homes and fast, reliable routes into central London. The Chancellor’s Growth Plan must include serious commitments to new infrastructure if it is going to succeed.”

Cllr Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council, said:

“In order to drive growth across our country any ‘Growth Plan’ needs to invest in our infrastructure for the long term. The Bakerloo Line upgrade and extension would support the delivery of over 2 million square feet of employment space, 20,000 new homes and 12,000 new jobs. If the Chancellor is serious about putting economic growth first, then he must kick-start shovel-ready projects across the country and back the Bakerloo.”