Agenda item

PROPOSED EXTENSION OF BAKERLOO LINE AND OTHER TRANSPORT INITIATIVES (PRESENTATION BY STEVE HEELEY, TRANSPORT FOR LONDON)

Minutes:

Steve Heeley, Borough Engagement Manager (South), Transport for London provided an update on the proposed extension of the Bakerloo Line and other transport initiatives.

 

A consultation had been undertaken during Autumn 2014 around the potential to extend the Bakerloo line to Lewisham and to Hayes to help provide increased connectivity and capacity for South East London to meet the needs of an increasing population.

 

There had been 15,000 responses to the consultation, of which 96% supported the proposed extension. 30% of respondents supported terminating the extension at Lewisham and 56% of respondents supported terminating the extension at Beckenham Junction and Hayes.  60% of respondents had also supported an extension to Bromley Town Centre.  Transport for London published a response to the key issues raised during the consultation in September 2015, and an assessment of the consulted and alternative routes and destinations would be published in early 2016, when a further consultation would be undertaken.  Transport for London would continue to work with stakeholders on the development of the extension options, including further work on the proposed route in relation to Old Kent Road, and it was expected that a consultation on the preferred option for the proposed Bakerloo Line extension would be undertaken in Autumn 2016.

 

Mr Heeley informed the Partnership that a key problem facing Government and TfL was the problem of population growth, which in turn was expected to increase the number of jobs in London. It was clear the scale of this projection would be challenging for housing, facilities and for infrastructure. This meant that London wide transport investment was required, and TfL were looking to invest across:

 

·  London Underground

·  River Crossings

·  Cycle Superhighways and the cycle network

·  Bakerloo Line Extension

·  Maintenance of the Road and Rail Network

 

Mr Heeley continued by clarifying that TfL would continue to liaise with all the relevant stakeholders concerning the Bakerloo Line Extension, but that it was clear that London required significant investment in Transport and Housing. He was optimistic that the Bakerloo line extension would contribute positively to the various challenges that London faced. He cautioned that sourcing funding for the extension still remained a challenge and had not yet been confirmed.

 

Mr Heeley outlined the current problems that were affecting South London rail generally, and these were:

 

·  Low frequencies

·  Reliability issues

·  Slow line speeds and low acceleration trains

·  Overcrowding

·  Unattractive and uncared for stations

 

Plans to improve the south east London rail network included the Bakerloo line extension and an improved interchange station at Lewisham. There was also the possibility to increase “metro” services through investment in rolling stock and signalling. A study was also being undertaken to look at extending overground rail services to Bromley North. TfL were awaiting Thameslink timetabling to see if the Bromley North extension was feasible.

 

Ms Katy Woolcott asked if the proposed extension may cause delays for other underground stations. Mr Heeley answered that as part of the Bakerloo line extension, signalling upgrades were planned. It was expected that the signalling upgrades would mean that other stations would not experience delays; modelling was taking place to look at this issue

 

There was a discussion at the meeting initiated by the Chairman, around the issues of development funding. It was noted that in the past, funding for similar developments had been provided by Developers, and by TfL and the GLA taking out loans; Section 106 money had also been used. Mr Heeley stated that as far as funding was concerned, it would be interesting to see what was planned by central government in the autumn comprehensive spending review. It was the case that the Government would still need to be lobbied for funding and that decisions would need to be made concerning fares.

 

Mr Martin Pinnell (LBB Head of Town Centre Management and Business Support) enquired what the timescale was for the Bakerloo line extension. Mr Heeley answered that TfL were looking at 2030. Mr Kevin Munnelly asked if LBB would be disadvantaged due to funding limitations, and Mr Heeley responded that there were still ongoing questions relating  to funding. TfL and the Mayor would continue to lobby for funding. 

 

Members of the Partnership were advised that further information was available via www.tfl.gov.uk/bakerloo-extension and that the project team could be contacted at ble@tfl.gov.uk.

 

The Chairman thanked Steve Heeley,for his excellent presentation.

 

RESOLVED that the update on the Bakerloo Line Extension and other transport initiatives be noted.