New findings show the vast majority of Londoners living and working along TfL’s proposed Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension route (from Harrow to Bromley) are in support, with 76% of residents and 89% businesses in favour of the proposals and only 1% of residents and 2% businesses in opposition.
TfL’s proposed Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension is a shovel-ready infrastructure project that will unlock the homes, jobs and economic growth London and the UK needs and significantly enhance connectivity across London.
The findings show that locally, 76% of Lambeth residents are in favour of the upgrade and extension proposals and impressively, 84% of Lambeth businesses are in support.
Councillor Claire Holland, Leader of Lambeth Council said:
“London needs to invest in its transport infrastructure to drive job creation and increase housing delivery. The Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension is expected to support the creation of 150,000 good jobs and the delivery of 107,000 new homes across its length. Nearly 80% of residents in Lambeth support the proposals.”
“As a council we are keenly focussed on growth opportunities that benefit Lambeth residents. The extension would be a major boost for growth in Waterloo, better connecting the area’s world-class arts & cultural institutions, thriving hospitality sector and major employers to the rest of South East London.”
It’s an exciting time for Waterloo, as Lambeth Council recently entered a strategic partnership with Network Rail and Places for London (Transport for London’s wholly owned property company to regenerate Waterloo Station and the surrounding area.
The findings show that better connecting North West and South East London could kickstart growth for our capital’s businesses, with 63% of businesses stating the project could enable their business to grow and more than half (52%) agreeing it could lead them to expand in the future. As well, many businesses acknowledge the increased footfall and anticipate higher productivity as a result of enhanced connectivity.
With parts of Southwark, and the entirety of Lewisham and Bromley currently excluded from the London Underground network, the project will break down long-standing transport and economic barriers. The new findings underscore this, with 57% of residents agreeing that the upgrade/extension would improve their ability to travel to work and 45% saying it would unlock new employment opportunities.
45% of residents said they would consider leaving their car at home for more journeys as a result of the new and improved line, further highlighting the project’s potential to accelerate the UK’s journey to net zero, improve our air quality and free up our roads.
The independent polling was conducted by Survation and Norstat and surveyed over 2,000 residents and businesses from London boroughs across the full proposed route (LIST). The polling was commissioned by Central London Forward, in partnership with Southwark Council, Lewisham Council, and Business for Bakerloo.
