Bring the tube to Streatham

London Mayor Johnson said in passing at a Mayor’s Question Time event in February 2009 that he has ambitions to extend the Bakerloo line to Lewisham, however no official announcement was made nor further details given. Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Streatham has now (in July 2009) obtained confirmation from Transport for London (TfL) that Mayor Johnson and TfL are considering plans to extend the Bakerloo line southwards to Lewisham and an examination of the feasibility of such a scheme is at an advanced stage.

Mr Umunna and local residents in Streatham are demanding to know why an extension of the Bakerloo line to that area as an alternative has not also been considered as part of this study. They argue that Streatham is in greater need of improved transport links and that other areas such as Lewisham are already well served by various transport connections, including the extension of the Docklands Light Railway which opened in 1999.

Instead of Lewisham, Umunna and campaigners say that a southward Bakerloo line extension from Elephant & Castle, where the line currently terminates, could run through Camberwell and Brixton to Streatham and should be considered. Such an extension would have the added benefit of relieving congestion on the very busy Streatham High Road part of the A23 (Europe’s longest High Street) and on the Northern and Victoria lines in neighbouring Clapham and Brixton.

The Bakerloo line is only one of the options available for bringing the tube to Streatham. Currently, the Victoria line’s capacity constraints make it difficult to extend it beyond Brixton. But the planned Crossrail 2 scheme, running from Chelsea to Hackney, would considerably relieve congestion on the Victoria line, creating the potential for an extension southwards to Streatham from Brixton.

Commenting on the campaign, Mr Umunna said:

“I have lived here for most of my life and people have been talking about the desirability of having the tube in Streatham for as long as I can remember.

“This campaign is a long term project. Public finances are going to be tight for the next few years but we need to build up a head of steam behind this now so that when there is more money about, we are in a good position to demand it is used to finally bring the tube here.

Mr Umunna and campaigners argue that local businesses in Streatham would benefit from the area being linked to central London by the tube. Streatham's poor transport links have too often held the area back in the past. Bringing the tube to Streatham would dovetail with regeneration of the area, such as the Streatham Hub project and more people would be attracted to visit the area and its attractions, which include one of London's only ice rinks.

Commenting further, Mr Umunna said:

"This area would benefit hugely from a tube station. As well as obvious benefits for local residents, it would give a massive boost to the regeneration of Streatham and the local economy.