TfL Sets Timeline for Public Consultation on Bakerloo Line Extension

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that Londoners will be invited to give their views on the long-awaited Bakerloo line extension later this year, marking another significant step forward for one of the capital’s most ambitious transport projects.

According to papers due to be presented at TfL’s board meeting on May 26, public consultation on the proposed extension is expected to run between December 2026 and February 2027, following the completion of ongoing feasibility studies.

Proposed Route and Timeline

Current plans would see the Bakerloo line extended south from Elephant and Castle to Lewisham, with proposed new stations serving Burgess Park, Old Kent Road, and New Cross Gate.

Construction on the first phase of the extension is currently expected to begin during the 2030s, with the route potentially becoming operational by 2040.

TfL has also continued to explore the possibility of further extensions beyond Lewisham to Hayes and Beckenham Junction in later phases.

Regeneration and Economic Growth

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has repeatedly backed the scheme, arguing that improved transport connectivity along the Old Kent Road corridor — an area he describes as historically underserved by public transport — could unlock major regeneration opportunities.

City Hall estimates suggest the extension could support the delivery of more than 20,000 new homes while creating around 5,000 jobs across south-east London.

The route itself has already been safeguarded by the Department for Transport to preserve the option for future delivery.

Funding Challenges Remain

Despite ongoing support from TfL and City Hall, the project suffered a setback in late 2025 after the Bakerloo extension and the proposed West London Orbital railway were both excluded from the Government’s November budget announcements.

Instead, ministers chose to prioritise the Docklands Light Railway extension to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead, which is currently expected to open in 2033.

Following the decision, Khan indicated that City Hall would explore alternative and “innovative” funding methods to help progress both projects.

Although no final funding mechanism has yet been confirmed, previous transport schemes such as the Northern line extension to Battersea Power Station relied heavily on developer contributions, local levies, and tax arrangements linked to rising land values near new stations.

New Bakerloo Trains Also Planned

Alongside the proposed extension, TfL is also preparing to replace the Bakerloo line’s ageing rolling stock, some of which has now been in service for more than five decades.

Financial planning documents indicate early work on the train replacement programme will begin this year, with investment expected to accelerate significantly by 2028 when approximately £348 million is scheduled to be committed to the project.

The timing coincides with the completion of current fleet replacement programmes for the Piccadilly line and DLR, both of which are expected to enter service between 2026 and 2027.

Together, the infrastructure upgrades and network extension form part of TfL’s longer-term strategy to modernise transport links across south London while supporting housing growth and economic development in key regeneration areas.