TfL (Transport for London) is consulting engineers on future tunnelling works and said it “remains committed to delivering” the Bakerloo line extension.
Engineering practice Dr Sauer & Partners will undertake feasibility studies for five sets of tunnelling works at four locations along the proposed route, which assess the practicality of the projects.
The scheme, which would extend the line down Old Kent Road to Lewisham, has been delayed since Covid-19 hit.
Many feared the project would be permanently cancelled due to costs – estimated to be £7.9 billion – but this latest contract indicates TfL still thinks its viable.
A TfL spokesperson reportedly said: “We remain committed to delivering the scheme when the time is right but are dependent on securing additional government funding to do this.
“We recently awarded a contract to Dr Sauer & Partners to confirm elements of the tunnel design, which will enable us to further develop the proposed scheme and to have constructive discussions with potential developers along the route.”
Dr Sauer & Partners will now assess the possibility of tunnelling at Lambeth North, Elephant & Castle, Lewisham station and Lewisham Way shaft.
They will also consider the route-wide construction of cross passages between the two running tunnels.
However, TfL must navigate serious stumbling blocks before the project gets started. Firstly, the government’s £3.6 billion investment deal with TfL falls well short of £7.9 billion needed for the extension.
TfL doesn’t need to fund the entire project. Some money would come from local authorities like Southwark, and developers would pay through a community infrastructure levy (CIL).
Could the possible new TfL deal mean the Bakerloo Line Extension is revived?
Southwark Council has previously estimated it could get £350 million in CIL money from developers.
Timeframes are also a problem. Former Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said money from central government to TfL would be for projects that would “take place by 2024”.
Even before Covid-19 struck, the Bakerloo Line Extension was intended to open in 2029, five years after that.