Bakerloo line extension to begin at Stonebridge Park Depot in 2027
Transport for London study shows improved employment access and housing growth along proposed route
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Preparatory work for the Bakerloo line extension will start at Stonebridge Park Depot in summer 2027. Transport for London confirmed the depot upgrades will accommodate new trains expected in the 2030s. The project aims to extend the line from Elephant and Castle to Lewisham, with potential future stops at Burgess Park, Old Kent Road and New Cross Gate.
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Residents in Ladywell, a neighbourhood near Lewisham, told MyLondon they feel isolated by unreliable Southeastern services. One local business owner, who has worked in the area since the early 1990s, said weekend cancellations and weather-related delays force them to travel via Lewisham station instead. They described the current service as less convenient than it was decades ago.
Brooke Jamieson, who works in a gift shop on Ladywell Road, called the area a "public transport desert". She said frequent cancellations on the Windrush line in Brockley disrupt travel to central London. Jamieson added that younger residents, who moved to the area for affordability, face longer commutes due to limited connections. Buses are often overcrowded as a result.
I mostly take the Windrush line in Brockley and it goes down quite a lot. There are constant cancellations and closures which affect the service. That really causes a problem because there's not many ways to get into Central London.
Brooke Jamieson, gift shop worker
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TfL study highlights economic benefits
A Transport for London study published in early 2025 found the Elizabeth line increased employment access by 11% in Abbey Wood and surrounding areas. The study did not specify a percentage for housing growth but noted new homes were being built along the route. The benefits extended to parts of Kent, including Erith and Dartford, where travel times to Canary Wharf and Liverpool Street were reduced.
Bridget Wood, a dog walker in Ladywell, said the Windrush line improved travel from Brockley. She expects the Bakerloo line extension to have a similar impact. Wood questioned why the infrastructure to extend the line to Hayes exists but has not been used. She said more people are commuting post-pandemic, increasing demand for reliable services.
Southeastern upgrades track amid criticism
Southeastern Railway is upgrading 1,800 metres of track between Charing Cross and Waterloo East. The £20m project includes track drainage work, foundation rebuilding and structural repairs to Hungerford Bridge. Both stations are closed until 17 August. Scott Brightwell, Southeastern’s safety director, acknowledged the disruption but said alternative routes remain available.
What happens next
After depot upgrades at Stonebridge Park, Transport for London will seek funding to extend the Bakerloo line to Lewisham. The timeline for construction beyond the depot is unclear. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has supported the extension but prioritised other projects, including the DLR extension to Thamesmead and the West London Orbital Overground route.
Questions this report answers
+When will work start on the Bakerloo line extension?
Work begins at Stonebridge Park Depot in summer 2027. The depot upgrades will prepare for new trains in the 2030s. Transport for London will then seek funding to extend the line to Lewisham and beyond.
+How will the Bakerloo line extension affect Ladywell residents?
Residents say unreliable Southeastern services leave them cut off from central London. The extension could improve connections, but funding and construction timelines remain uncertain after the depot upgrades.
+Why are Charing Cross and Waterloo East closed?
Southeastern Railway is upgrading 1,800 metres of track between the stations. The £20m project includes drainage work, foundation repairs and structural improvements to Hungerford Bridge. Both stations are closed until 17 August.
+What did the TfL study find about the Elizabeth line?
A Transport for London study in early 2025 reported an 11% increase in employment access along the Elizabeth line route. The study noted new homes were being built, and travel times to Canary Wharf and Liverpool Street improved for areas like Erith and Dartford.
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