Streatham tube campaign success as TfL revises Bakerloo plans
Transport for London has announced that it is now considering extending the Bakerloo line to Streatham, following a high-profile campaign to bring the London Underground to the area led by Labour parliamentary candidate Chuka Umunna.
This week Transport for London (TfL) confirmed that it is now considering three options for the southward extension of the Bakerloo line, where previously it was only considering one, to Bromley in Kent via Lewisham.
One of the options now on the table is an extension to Streatham via Camberwell and Herne Hill, with preliminary investigations being made. A third option of extending the line to Catford is also now under consideration.
Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham, launched the campaign to bring the tube to Streatham with local residents in July, after TfL confirmed that it was considering plans to extend the Bakerloo line to Bromley and Hayes in Kent. He and local people argued that it was unfair for Streatham to be left out of the Bakerloo discussions.
London Mayor Boris Johnson was accused of political bias in neglecting the transport needs of inner London. A petition was launched demanding that TfL also consider an extension to Streatham.
The Bakerloo line is considered the best option for bringing the London Underground to Streatham because of the capacity constraints which exist on the Victoria and Northern lines. TfL expects any Bakerloo extension plans to come to fruition after 2025.
Commenting on TfL’s decision, Umunna said:
“I am delighted that TfL is now considering a tube extension to Streatham. It is testament to the depth of feeling here in Streatham and the fact that so many local residents have got behind our campaign.
“However, the battle for the tube has only just started – Streatham is an “option” and we need to turn this into a reality. So far we have hundreds of signatures – we need thousands so I’d encourage every resident to go online and sign the petition.
“It is important that we continue to make the case for Streatham as Transport for London begins its investigation. The more local people who get behind bringing the tube here, the more chance it has of becoming a reality.”
