Property

London plans phased Bakerloo line extension into South London amid funding hurdles

Sunday, 9 November 2025 5:05AM UTC

Transport for London unveils plans to extend the Bakerloo line into South London by 2040, promising regeneration and housing growth, despite significant funding challenges following delays and abortive extensions elsewhere in the capital.

Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled ambitious plans to extend the Bakerloo line further into South London, with an anticipated start of construction in the 2030s and a potential operational introduction by 2040. The proposed extension would extend the line from Elephant and Castle to Lewisham, possibly adding three new stations along the route, including Burgess Park, Old Kent Road, and New Cross Gate. This would significantly enhance connectivity in South London, with Lewisham serving as a major interchange for the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and national rail services.

The extension is seen as a vital catalyst for regeneration and growth in the area. Lewisham Council underscores the transformative potential of the project, highlighting its capacity to support the creation of around 6,000 new jobs and the development of approximately 27,500 new homes, including affordable housing tailored for local residents. Such developments are anticipated to bring substantial socio-economic benefits by improving transport links and easing congestion in existing services.

Southwark Council has been actively involved in complementary initiatives, including the recent launch of the fully electric Bakerloop BL1 express bus service in September 2025. This service mirrors the proposed Bakerloo line extension route, connecting key locations such as Waterloo, Elephant & Castle, Burgess Park, Old Kent Road, New Cross Gate, and Lewisham town centre. The bus service operates frequently, with enhanced passenger amenities including USB chargers and priority seating, aimed at encouraging usage ahead of the tube extension's arrival.

Further strategic planning is documented in Southwark’s Old Kent Road Area Action Plan, which envisages the Bakerloo line extension in two phases. The initial phase focuses on extending the line from Elephant & Castle to Lewisham, encompassing the new stations at Burgess Park and Old Kent Road. The second phase could see the extension continue from Lewisham towards Hayes in Bromley, supporting the delivery of an additional 10,500 homes. This phased approach illustrates the comprehensive vision for the area’s long-term transport infrastructure in tandem with housing development.

However, not all proposed underground expansions in the wider London region have progressed as hoped. The Metropolitan line extension into Hertfordshire, known as the Croxley Rail Link, which would have added two new stations at Cassiobridge and Watford Vicarage Road, was halted in 2017 due to funding and support shortfalls. Despite initial plans to reroute trains and improve services in northwest London and beyond, the project was indefinitely suspended. Hertfordshire County Council is now seeking alternative uses for the disused railway track involved, and a successor scheme called the Watford to Croxley Link (W2CL) is under development through collaboration among local authorities, Transport for London, and Network Rail.

Financial constraints remain a significant hurdle, notably for the Bakerloo line extension. Estimates place the cost between £4.7 billion and £7.9 billion, with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic contributing to delays and funding uncertainty. Construction is currently on hold pending the securing of necessary funds, but the anticipated benefits in reducing overcrowding and boosting local economies continue to provide strong motivation for eventual project completion.

Overall, while the Bakerloo line extension represents a bold step toward expanding London’s transport network and supporting urban growth in South London, challenges remain both in terms of financing and multi-phase delivery. Meanwhile, the cancellation of the Metropolitan line extension serves as a cautionary tale of the complexities involved in major infrastructure projects. As local councils, TfL, and other stakeholders navigate these challenges, residents and commuters can watch closely as these plans evolve in the decades to come.

📌 Reference Map:

^[1] (MyLondon) - Paragraph 1, Paragraph 4, Paragraph 6, Paragraph 7
^[2] (Southwark Council) - Paragraph 3
^[3] (Lewisham Council) - Paragraph 2
^[4] (Southwark Council Old Kent Road Plan) - Paragraph 4
^[5] (Three Rivers District Council) - Paragraph 5
^[6] (Wikipedia Croxley Rail Link) - Paragraph 5
^[7] (Wikipedia Bakerloo line extension) - Paragraph 7

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.mylondon.news/news/transport/4-tube-stations-could-next-32806822 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.southwark.gov.uk/news/2025/brand-new-bakerloop-bus-launch-old-kent-road - Southwark Council announced the launch of the Bakerloop BL1 express bus service on 27 September 2025. This fully electric bus route mirrors the proposed Bakerloo Line extension, connecting Waterloo, Elephant & Castle, and Lewisham via Burgess Park, Old Kent Road, New Cross Gate, and Lewisham town centre. The service operates every 12 minutes during weekdays and every 15 minutes on Sundays and evenings, offering enhanced customer features such as USB chargers and dedicated priority seating. The first week of travel was free to encourage usage.
https://lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/regeneration/transport-and-major-infrastructure/bakerloo-line-extension - Lewisham Council provides detailed information on the proposed Bakerloo Line extension, aiming to connect Elephant & Castle to Lewisham via Old Kent Road and New Cross Gate. This extension would introduce four new stations: Burgess Park, Old Kent Road, New Cross Gate, and Lewisham, enhancing connectivity and reducing overcrowding. The project is expected to support the delivery of 6,000 new jobs and 27,500 new homes in key opportunity areas, including affordable housing for local residents.
https://www.southwark.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-03/Old-Kent-Road-AAP-Policies-5-March_0.pdf - Southwark Council's Old Kent Road Area Action Plan outlines the development policies for the area, including the Bakerloo Line Extension (BLE). The BLE is planned in two phases: the first extends the line from Elephant & Castle to Lewisham, adding stations at Burgess Park and Old Kent Road, and in Lewisham at New Cross Gate and Lewisham. The second phase proposes extending the line from Lewisham to Hayes in Bromley. The plan also addresses housing delivery, with 9,500 units in Phase 1 and 10,500 units in Phase 2, supported by the BLE.
https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/services/transport-and-streets/metropolitan-line-extension - Three Rivers District Council discusses the Watford to Croxley Link, a proposed extension of the Metropolitan Line, also known as the Croxley Rail Link. The project aimed to connect Croxley Station to Watford Junction but was discontinued after 2018. Since Summer 2021, Hertfordshire County Council has been leading a group to develop a successor scheme, the Watford to Croxley Link (W2CL), in collaboration with Watford Borough Council, Three Rivers District Council, Network Rail, and Transport for London.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croxley_Rail_Link - The Croxley Rail Link, also known as the Metropolitan Line Extension, was a proposed railway project in Hertfordshire, England, intended to connect the London Overground and the London Underground's Metropolitan line. The plan involved extending the Metropolitan line from Croxley to Watford Junction via a reopened section of closed line. The project was approved for re-opening but suspended due to funding issues. The main proponent was Hertfordshire County Council, but it failed to gain support from Transport for London, which owns the Watford branch.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakerloo_line_extension - The Bakerloo line extension is a proposed extension of the London Underground's Bakerloo line in South London from Elephant & Castle to Lewisham. The extension would introduce four new stations: Burgess Park, Old Kent Road, New Cross Gate, and Lewisham. The project is estimated to cost between £4.7bn and £7.9bn and would take around seven years to construct. Due to financial constraints following the COVID-19 pandemic, work on the extension is currently on hold.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The Bakerloo line extension has been a topic of discussion since at least 1913, with formal proposals dating back to the late 1940s. Recent developments include the safeguarding of the route in 2021 and the awarding of contracts for feasibility studies in October 2024. The Bakerloop BL1 express bus service launched on 27 September 2025, with free travel offered until 5 October 2025. The MyLondon article was published on 9 November 2025, making it a recent report. However, the content largely reiterates previously reported information, with no significant new developments or exclusive insights. The inclusion of updated data on the Bakerloop bus service may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakerloo_line_extension?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The MyLondon article includes direct quotes from Lewisham Council and Southwark Council, as well as Transport for London (TfL). These quotes have been previously reported in other sources, such as the Southwark Council's announcement of the Bakerloop bus service and TfL's press release. The wording of the quotes appears consistent across these sources, indicating potential reuse of content. ([southwark.gov.uk](https://www.southwark.gov.uk/news/2025/brand-new-bakerloop-bus-launch-old-kent-road?utm_source=openai))

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The MyLondon report originates from a local news outlet, which may not have the same level of editorial oversight as national media. While it cites reputable organisations like TfL and local councils, the report's reliance on these sources without additional independent verification raises questions about its overall reliability. The report also includes a reference map with links to various sources, but the inclusion of a Wikipedia link raises concerns about the credibility of the information.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims regarding the Bakerloo line extension and the Bakerloop bus service are plausible and align with previously reported information. The MyLondon report accurately reflects the current status of these projects, including the launch of the Bakerloop bus service and the ongoing discussions about the Bakerloo line extension. However, the report lacks specific factual anchors, such as exact dates for future developments, which would strengthen its credibility. The tone and language used are consistent with typical news reporting, and there are no signs of sensationalism or off-topic detail.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The MyLondon report provides a recent overview of the Bakerloo line extension and the Bakerloop bus service, incorporating updated data on the bus service. However, it largely reiterates previously reported information without offering significant new insights. The reuse of quotes and reliance on a local news outlet with potential credibility concerns suggest a need for further verification. While the claims are plausible and align with known developments, the lack of specific factual anchors and the inclusion of a Wikipedia link raise questions about the report's overall reliability.

Transport for London
Bakerloo line
South London development