The extension of London Underground’s Northern line from Kennington to Battersea via Nine Elms has been given the go-ahead by the Secretary of State for Transport.
The addition to the Underground network will support the regeneration of the Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea area, which it is hoped will provide 24,000 new jobs and over 18,000 new homes. The extension to the Northern Line will cut journey times to the West End and the City from the area to just under 15 minutes.
Two new stations will be built – one near Battersea Power Station and another at Nine Elms serving new developments such as the US Embassy and the redevelopment of New Covent Garden Market.
Other transport investments in the area, include the transformation of the Vauxhall gyratory, and the upgrading of Vauxhall Tube station.
The full cost of the Northern line extension is expected to be up to £1bn, which is being funded through developer contributions. A funding package has been agreed between the Mayor of London and Government, which includes the creation of an Enterprise Zone from 2016 for a period of 25 years.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “I am delighted we can confirm that early next year the spades will be hitting the ground for the creation of the Northern line extension. Driven by improved transport links this part of central London is set to move forward a century in a matter of a few years, supporting 24,000 new jobs and more than 18,000 new homes. The benefits of major infrastructure projects such as this are enormous – cutting journey times for passengers, supporting London’s future growth and creating jobs right across the UK.”
Mike Brown MVO, Managing Director of London Underground, said: “This vital new part of the Underground network will support and enable growth in an area that is rapidly developing. By 2020 we will have created over three miles of new tunnels and two brand new stations that will transform transport links to the area.”
Ravi Govindia, leader of Wandsworth Council, said: “This is fantastic news for the people of Battersea and the benefits will be felt right across Wandsworth. This part of the borough is already coming to life with thousands of new homes and jobs and its two new Tube stations will turbo-charge the process.”
Following the Secretary of State for Transport’s approval of the project, construction will start as soon as spring next year. Over three miles of new tunnels will be constructed and new stations opened at Nine Elms and Battersea by 2020. During construction the project will support around 1000 jobs.
By 2020 LU is planning to increase train frequencies on the Northern line to at least 30 trains per hour with the introduction of new trains.
Earlier this year TfL awarded the contract to design and build the Northern line extension to Ferrovial Agroman Laing O’Rourke.
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