Local Conservatives Raise Bakerloo Extension Future with Transport Secretary

Monday, 3 August, 2020

Conservative London Assembly candidate for Greenwich & Lewisham, Charlie Davis, has signed a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, to raise the future of the Bakerloo Line extension to Lewisham. Charlie signed the letter alongside Hannah Ginnett, the London Assembly candidate for Lambeth & Southwark, and Councillor Matt Clare, the Opposition spokesman for Transport in Greenwich. The future of the project has been cast into doubt after the Labour Mayor of London had to seek a £1.69billion bailout for TfL from the Government, with TfL now looking to agree a second bailout with the Government in the coming weeks

Charlie previously wrote the Deputy Mayor of London for Transport to seek assurances of the future of the project. Charlie also sought clarification on if the project had been sacrificed to secure the bailout following media reports that TfL was prepared to do so. In her response to Charlie the Deputy Mayor denied that the project had been put on the table for negotiations but did confirm the bailout did leave the projects future in doubt. As such Charlie has now written to the Secretary of State to try ensure the future of the project is secured.

In the letter it is highlighted that Lewisham is a growing borough with an increasing population and in desperate need of the extra rail capacity. Charlie invites the Secretary of State to visit Lewisham station at rush hour to see for himself the overcrowding and observe how many commuters are unable to board trains, showing how important the project is for Lewisham.

The signatories also ask the Minister to provide clarification on three points:

1. At any point in the negotiations, did TfL offer to sacrifice the project in return for securing the bailout?

2. What impact, if any, does the TfL bailout have on TfL’s ability to secure funding for an extension of the Bakerloo line?

3. Given the delays to Crossrail under this Mayor, does this Mayor of London still have the credibility to secure funding for big infrastructure projects?

Charlie said “Commuters in Lewisham are desperate for the Bakerloo line to be extended to the borough and provide the extra capacity we need across South-East London. But the failings of this Labour Mayor over the last four years has now put this project into doubt. I am fighting to secure the future of this extension and improve local people’s daily commute. I don’t doubt for one second Boris Johnson’s commitment to the extension, after all the process started when he was Mayor. However, my concern remains that the current Mayor of London’s failure to take responsibility and failure to show any leadership will mean the people of Lewisham miss out on the extra rail capacity our area is in desperate need of”.

Tell us your views!

1 Current Tell us your views!
2 End

1. How well would you rate the services provided by Lewisham Council? 0 is a very poor service and 10 would be excellent

Questions	0 Very poor service	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10 Excellent service
Service rating	0 Very poor service	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10 Excellent service

On the scale of 0-10, 0 means a very poor service and 10 means an excellent service.

3. TfL want an extended Bakerloo line to run to Catford Bridge, Lower Sydenham and New Beckenham, however this will mean commuters will no longer have direct trains to London Bridge. What's your preferred outcome?

Bakerloo line to Hayes/ Beckenham junction and lose the London Bridge connection

TfL to extend the Bakerloo line as an additional service not a replacement

TfL to extend the Bakerloo line to Lewisham and no further

TfL not to extend the Bakerloo line at all

Other…

4. If there was an election tomorrow, as things stand today, what are the chances of you voting for each of the following parties - on a scale of 0-10?

Questions	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Labour	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Liberal Democrat	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Conservative	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
UKIP	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Green	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Independent	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Other	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10

On the scale of 0-10, 0 means there would be no chance of you voting for the party and 10 means you would be absolutely certain to vote for the party.

5. In order to make this survey representative, how did you vote in the 2019 General Election?

Conservative

Labour

Lib Dem

Green

UKIP

Didn't vote

Other…

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