Brent Council Calls for Bakerloo Line Funding

Brent Council has urgently requested billions in funding from the UK government to extend and upgrade the Bakerloo line, which is crucial for local residents and economic growth. The proposed extension would connect Elephant and Castle to Lewisham, adding new stations at Old Kent Road and Burgess Park, with a second phase extending to Hayes. The estimated cost for these improvements ranges from £5.2 billion to £8.7 billion, plus additional costs for the Hayes extension. Council leader Muhammed Butt emphasized that the project would create approximately 20,400 homes and 9,700 jobs, providing a £1.5 billion boost to the economy. Additionally, the existing Bakerloo trains, which are 52 years old, require upgrades to improve energy efficiency and align with the government's net-zero goals. The funding appeal highlights the line's significance, as one in six jobs in London is within a 12-minute walk of a Bakerloo station.