The Bakerloo line extension to Lewisham has suffered another delay, with passengers now facing a wait that could stretch to 2040 before the first trains run.
In a Freedom of Information response published on 11 November, Transport for London confirmed the public consultation on the extension — initially expected between December 2026 and February 2027 — has been postponed. TfL now anticipates the consultation will take place later in 2027, but has yet to give exact dates.
The extension, which would connect Elephant and Castle to Lewisham through the Old Kent Road and New Cross Gate, was anticipated to significantly improve transport connections for thousands of residents in south-east London. But the project remains without a confirmed funding package or construction start date, despite years of planning and campaigning.
Key facts
- What: Bakerloo line extension from Elephant and Castle to Lewisham, via Old Kent Road and New Cross Gate
- Latest delay: Public consultation postponed from December 2026–February 2027 to later in 2027 (no exact dates)
- Preferred option: TfL expects to endorse one in early 2028, subject to the consultation outcome
- Estimated opening: 2040, according to a separate Freedom of Information response from October 2026 — subject to funding, planning and consultation
- Cost: £4.2 billion to £7.5 billion to Lewisham; a further £1.9 billion to £3.3 billion if extended to Hayes
- Funding: No confirmed funding package and no construction start date
Why the consultation has slipped
TfL said the revised consultation timetable depends on several factors. These include the implications of the Government’s recent Budget and the publication of its updated business plan.
The timing could also be influenced by other public consultations, elections and major announcements.
TfL is currently finalising consultation materials and working with affected landowners and local councils. Once the consultation is complete, responses will be reviewed before a preferred scheme is selected.
What the extension would look like
The proposed extension would go beyond the Bakerloo line’s current southern terminus at Elephant and Castle.
The route would include a new Bakerloo line ticket hall at Elephant and Castle, a proposed new station serving the Old Kent Road area at Burgess Park, another proposed new station at Old Kent Road, a new station at New Cross Gate providing connections with National Rail, London Overground and buses, and an improved interchange at Lewisham linking the Underground with National Rail, the DLR and local bus services.
The extension aims to enhance public transport access in parts of south-east London not currently served directly by the Tube. Several south London boroughs still have no Tube station at all, and the Old Kent Road is one of the capital’s most poorly connected major roads.
TfL has previously estimated the scheme could directly unlock at least 20,000 new homes along the route.
Beyond Lewisham — to Hayes and Beckenham
TfL is also considering extending the Bakerloo line beyond Lewisham to Hayes and Beckenham Junction. This would involve converting the existing National Rail route through Catford into part of the Underground network.
The next consultation is expected to examine three possible options: extending the Bakerloo line to Lewisham only, extending the line through Lewisham to Hayes and Beckenham Junction, or building the Lewisham extension first followed by a second phase to Hayes and Beckenham Junction.
If the longer extension goes ahead, stations such as Ladywell, Catford Bridge and Lower Sydenham could eventually become part of the Tube network. However, no final decision has been made on whether the line will continue beyond Lewisham.
The money problem
The project will require significant funding. In a response to the London Assembly published in February 2026, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan confirmed that TfL estimated the cost of extending the Bakerloo line to Lewisham at between £4.2 billion and £7.5 billion.
A further extension from Lewisham to Hayes could cost an additional £1.9 billion to £3.3 billion. These figures are based on estimates prepared in January 2024 and expressed in 2025 prices, and the final cost could change as plans are developed.
The Government’s October 2026 Budget mentioned the Bakerloo line extension as a project that could benefit from new financing powers for London. However, the announcement did not provide a fully funded construction commitment. TfL is already facing a £6.5 billion repairs backlog, which underlines how tight the money is.
What happens next
There is still no confirmed opening date for the Bakerloo line extension. A separate Freedom of Information response published in October 2026 indicated 2040 as the estimated opening year, subject to funding, planning and public consultation. That means passengers could still be waiting well over a decade before the extension opens.
The project must secure funding, complete further design work and obtain the necessary legal approvals before construction can begin. TfL expects to make progress towards a preferred option in early 2028, after which it would continue developing plans for a potential Transport and Works Act Order application.
For residents in Lewisham, New Cross and the Old Kent Road, the latest update means the prospect of a direct Tube connection remains some years away. While the extension is still being actively developed, its future depends on securing the money and approvals needed to bring the proposals to fruition.
