As many residents will know, for a number of years Transport for London (TfL) has actively been considering an extension of the Bakerloo Line to south east London, and following a comprehensive consultation in 2014, has published plans to continue the current route from Elephant and Castle down to Lewisham via Old Kent Road and New Cross Gate. Further details can be found here:
https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/how-we-work/planning-for-the-future/bakerloo-line-extension
Other future phases continue to be under consideration, including a further extension to Bromley North, something I believe is absolutely vital if we are to seriously tackle the mounting pressure on our already strained rail network. From the conversations I have with residents, and as a commuter myself, I am acutely aware that people want options when travelling. That means being able to travel to a different location or take a different route if there are delays or hold-ups on the over ground Southeastern line, as well as having the flexibility to move more easily around the network for employment purposes, particularly to Lewisham to access the City and Canary Wharf.
That is why since becoming the MP for Bromley and Chislehurst in 2006 – and before, while I was the London Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley – I have pressed hard to support proposals that would improve transport infrastructure in Bromley, including the Bakerloo Line, the DLR, and plans to shake-up the Southeastern franchise.
In my response to the latest consultation, which closed last week, I stressed that places like Bromley must begin to feel the benefits of projects like this to generate employment opportunities, accelerate regeneration and local growth, and unlock land for housing. My response can be read in full below.