Bakerloo line extension back on the political agenda in Southwark

The Camberwell Society brought a deputation to last week's transport-themed Southwark council assembly meeting urging the council to lobby for an extension of the Bakerloo line beyond its present terminus at Elephant & Castle.

The society argued that with a merger between King's College Hospital, South London & Maudsley and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS trusts under consideration, demand for journeys between Camberwell and Waterloo is likely to rise.

Earlier this year a Transport for London official told a City Hall committee that the idea of extending the Bakerloo line is "not high up the priority list" for the organisation.

There are two schools of thought about the possible route for a southern extension of the Bakerloo line: some favour an alignment following New Kent Road, Bricklayers Arms and Old Kent Road to Lewisham and beyond whilst others prefer a route via the Walworth Road towards Camberwell and Peckham.

Confirming his backing for the Camberwell Society's campaign, council leader Peter John said: "There's a unique window of opportunity here while the Mayor puts his '2020 vision' for London together, and I hope we will get the extension of the Bakerloo line into that."

Chaucer ward Lib Dem councillor Tim McNally said: "As somebody who regularly uses the Bakerloo line, I think all of us who use it know that once you get past Waterloo it's one of the lines with the biggest capacity going.

"Unlike the Northern line which is constantly jammed, you can always get a seat at the Elephant."

"It was our policy when we were the administration to support the extension, and it still is. This should enjoy very strong cross-party support across the chamber.

"Now the Olympics are out of the way and the Mayor is formalising his plans, this is an excellent opportunity for us all to get behind this."

Cllr Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for transport, declared: "Tonight the campaign for a Bakerloo line extension starts in earnest".