Bakerloo line extension ‘not a priority’ for Boris, says minister

Earlier this year transport minister Stephen Hammond promised to discuss options for the extension of the Bakerloo line beyond Elephant & Castle at his next meeting with the Mayor of London.

This week the Conservative minister was questioned again about the Bakerloo line by Lewisham East Labour MP Heidi Alexander.

Mr Hammond insisted that any extension to the London Underground was primarily a matter for City Hall.

"To date the Mayor has made no representations that the Bakerloo line extension is a priority for him," said Mr Hammond.

The minister argued that the Government had provided money for a study of options for Crossrail 2 linking south west London with the north east of the capital, but Ms Alexander pointed out that her constituents in south east London do not currently enjoy easy access to the Underground.

"It was a poor and disappointing reply – the Bakerloo line extension has to be in the mix when considering London's future transport needs," said Ms Alexander.

Mr Johnson included the possible extension of the Bakerloo line in his '2020 vision' document published earlier this summer.

Southwark's Labour administration favours an extension south from Elephant & Castle following the Walworth Road to serve Camberwell and Peckham whilst others argue for an eastwards extension via Bricklayers Arms and Old Kent Road.