Agenda item

Report ES14048

Following recent discussions and work with Transport for London,  an update was provided on the latest position regarding potential public transport extensions to Bromley.

TfL had undertaken feasibility work over the previous 12-18 months to develop a business case for an extension of the DLR from Lewisham to Bromley. Simultaneously, TfL had also undertaken feasibility work for extending the Bakerloo line from Elephant and Castle and the Overground from New Cross to Bromley North. Tramlink proposals had been previously developed and more recently, the Tramlink development team had been working to refine route options and alignments.

Potential benefits were highlighted from investment in the rail options outlined in the report along with the latest update on each of the potential options.

For a DLR extension to Bromley, the report advised that the overall Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) represented insufficient value for money, as defined by TfL’s business case methodology and the DfT’s transport scheme appraisal guidance. This took account of the total cost of an extension, the direct transport benefits that would be realised, and the development and growth potential. On 20th March 2014, the Mayor of London instructed TfL to cease further work on the DLR business case.

The Council had subsequently asked TfL to undertake further work on a London Overground extension from New Cross to Bromley North, using the existing rail corridor, to provide improved rail connectivity between Bromley and Canary Wharf.

In discussion a number of comments were made. In response to a suggestion that existing capacity and service frequencies be increased (e.g. platforms lengthened) instead of a new extension, particularly for the Orpington/Lewisham route, it was indicated that the Council had made representations to TfL on route structure. The Council had also lobbied for increased capacity as existing rail routes to central London – including Orpington to Lewisham – were already operating at maximum capacity during peak periods. As such, there were feasibility studies on extending the London Overground between existing national rail services.

Referring to a Bakerloo line extension to Hayes, Councillor Phillips suggested that TfL ask more questions on the advantages of the existing line e.g. any cost advantage to passengers of travelling solely by national rail to Central London. 

There continued to be a significant amount of work in developing proposals. TfL had drafted further staff to address some of the Council’s concerns. It was necessary to know the proportion of Hayes line passengers who would be adversely affected by a Bakerloo line extension. Current data was not comprehensive.

TfL had recently written confirming that work on proposals for a DLR extension to Bromley would cease. The Portfolio Holder reminded Members that this was contrary to the Mayor of London’s election pledge and the Council would write in the strongest terms that this would not be accepted as the final position. The Portfolio Holder referred to the additional cost of a Bakerloo line extension which was not wanted by local residents. Solid financial evidence was needed of why a DLR extension should not be pursued. A London Overground link to Bromley North would be a second preference. With a potential expansion of Crystal Palace, transport improvements were also considered necessary to the area. Tramlink proposals were highlighted in this regard and  would be in addition to further transport to the centre of the borough. 

Councillor Catherine Rideout supported a DLR extension, highlighting advantages it would create for future residents of high street accommodation in Bromley town centre.

It was thought that Overground services would use existing rail track and operate between national rail services (which were operating to capacity). Challenges, such as rolling stock breakdown, could arise with inter-operation of services. However, issues were being worked through. There were no firm proposals as yet for crossing the fast lines at Grove Park but it was considered that either a flyover or fly-under option would be necessary. A loss of scheduled services was not considered a risk with an Overground extension.

The Chairman highlighted that passengers from Orpington would still need to change with an Overground extension. It was confirmed that Hither Green was intended to be the interchange station rather than Grove Park – Lewisham possibly having a further station, Lewisham South (near Ladywell), solely for the Overground  route.

Visiting the meeting for this item, Councillor Russell Mellor (Copers Cope Ward) was invited to address the Committee. He referred to the question to the Portfolio Holder on the future of rail services from Beckenham Junction, Kent House, and Penge to St Pancras and beyond (and to Blackfriars from 2018). Councillor Mellor referred to strategic priorities and concern for existing rail services to Bromley being inadequate. He supported efforts to improve the strategy for services into Bromley, improving links to the City, and improvements to Thameslink services. In this regard, Councillor Mellor referred to Thameslink services towards Herne Hill/ Beckenham Junction, advocating an improvement on the position of services to Beckenham and Bromley South for the future (i.e. to see the services permanently secured and maintained beyond December 2017).

The Chairman expressed concern at the loss of the DLR option, particularly in view of the Mayor of London’s manifesto pledge in 2012 to “work to extend the DLR from Lewisham to Bromley”. He also had an aspiration to see a DLR extension proceed further into the borough beyond Bromley North. He felt the Overground option did not lend itself to this and therefore the benefit to the commercial centre of Bromley was substantially reduced. He also questioned an assertion that a Bakerloo extension would bring reduced journey times to Charing Cross and highlighted that there would be no potential economic benefit from such an extension to Bromley. The Portfolio Holder felt there should be a full feasibility study of the DLR extension option before a decision is taken on an Overground extension to Bromley North.

In view of comments made, it was agreed that Recommendation 2.2 of Report ES14048 should be amended and it was RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

(1) consider the key strategic transport priorities for the Borough;

(2) support an extension of London Overground to Bromley North, subject to further investigation; and

(3)  support the priorities of residents for improved rail services into and through London particularly in relation to Thameslink services.