New findings show the vast majority of Londoners living and working along TfL’s proposed Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension route (from Harrow to Bromley) are in support, with 76% of residents and 89% businesses in favour of the proposals.
TfL’s proposed Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension is a shovel-ready infrastructure project that will unlock the homes, jobs and economic growth London and the UK needs and significantly enhance connectivity across London.
In Southwark specifically, eight in 10 residents said they back proposals for the Bakerloo Line project. In addition, 48% of the borough’s residents felt the upgrade and extension would reduce the number of journeys they need to make by car, not only outlining the practical impact but also the positive effect on potentially creating a greener Southwark.
With parts of Southwark, and the entirety of Lewisham and Bromley currently excluded from the London Underground network, the project will break down long-standing transport and economic barriers. The new findings underscore this, with 57% of residents agreeing that the upgrade/extension would improve their ability to travel to work and 45% saying it would unlock new employment opportunities.
The findings show that better connecting North West and South East London could kickstart growth for our capital’s businesses, with 63% of businesses stating the project could enable their business to grow and more than half (52%) agreeing it could lead them to expand in the future. As well, many businesses acknowledge the increased footfall and anticipate higher productivity as a result of enhanced connectivity.
The independent polling was conducted by Survation and Norstat and surveyed over 2,000 residents and businesses from London boroughs across the full proposed route (LIST). The polling was commissioned by Central London Forward, in partnership with Southwark Council, Lewisham Council, and Business for Bakerloo.
Councillor Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark said:
“The Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension is vital to deliver the growth our country needs. It would bring a £1.5bn per year boost to our national economy, supporting over 150,000 jobs across Britain.
“From the length of the line to the Siemens factory in Goole in Yorkshire that stands ready to build the trains. Southwark residents and businesses are supportive of the proposals, with nearly 80% of residents and nearly 90% of businesses in favour.”
Professor Frances Corner, OBE, Goldsmiths, University of London, New Cross said:
"The proposed extension of the Bakerloo Line through Lewisham represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unlock jobs, growth and educational opportunity in our borough. As the third-largest employer in Lewisham, we know first-hand the difference better transport links will make for our students, our staff and the many local businesses we work with.
"Many of our students commute to our New Cross campus from across London. For those on lower incomes, faster, more affordable public transport is vital to accessing higher education and building a better future. The extension will also support our strong commitment to sustainability by helping more people make greener travel choices."
James Glancey, Founder and CEO, James Glancey Design, Old Kent Road, Southwark said:
“We are hugely in favour of the Bakerloo Line Extension. We have a team of 60 fulltime and a station close to Ilderton Road will connect us with other parts of London and make it easier for the team to get in and out of work.
“The other major advantage is client engagement. With over 50% of our workflow in central London, visiting our studios will be greatly improved. We need to be able to get clients to come to us during the year as we are constantly showing prototypes and collaboratively developing designs, key to making our working relationships successful.
“On another level, the project will also improve the high street around the new station closest to us. This will improve the shopping offer and choices of places to get food at lunch time. It will be a game changer as we are so limited now.
“It will further improve the choice of leisure amenities. We have seen a Padel Box open across the road from us and next to it a neighbourhood sauna complex. It’s a chicken and egg situation. The transport will open more possibilities and then more will follow.
“I can’t tell you how much it will improve the neighbourhood and make this part of London function in a vastly improved way.”