Boris Backs Bakerloo Extension

With Tube boss, Tim O'Toole's resignation yesterday, Boris Johnson pledged an extension to the Bakerloo Line on the London Underground. At the Mayor's Question Time London Assembly member Val Shawcross asked what Boris had done to help the regeneration of Elephant & Castle station at the end of that line. Ms Shawcross told the Mayor that his record on the Elephant & Castle was one of "delay and delay and delay" and as a result Johnson has promised to visit it.


Last year Johnson first suggested using tunnelling machines purchased for Crossrail to extend the Tube in South London once the east-west link was finished.

However Shawcross listed the Mayor's neglect of this area in South London and said

"Everything you have done with regard to the Elephant & Castle has stalled that major regeneration scheme: you dropped the tram project, you stalled ... the replacement of the dangerous fast roundabout and appalling underpasses, TfL have stalled on the discussion with Lend Lease and the council about the cost for the Underground station and the whole project cannot be signed off until that information is provided."

So Boris has agreed to do visit the area as long as Ms Shawcross also comes along her bicycle! He said: "Insofar as you are correct that TfL are the major blockage in delivering what we want to see at the Elephant & Castle then I will certainly do everything in my power to remove the blockage."

See London SE1 for more on this.

An extension to the Bakerloo Line would certainly help the great "North / South divide" as the Tube is certainly lacking in stations south of the river.