18.03.16
Mayor backs London Overground extension to Barking Riverside
A rail extension for London’s largest housing development is set to go ahead after the mayor asked Transport for London (TfL) to apply for powers to start construction.
TfL are applying for a Transport and Work Acts Order to start construction of a 4.5km extension of the Gospel Oak to Barking line, eventually connecting to a new station at Barking Riverside.
The line will allow the completion of Barking Riverside, featuring 11,000 new homes, many of which are affordable, and a new school, healthcare facilities and district centre. It will connect to District and Hammersmith & City Tube services and c2c services to London Fenchurch Street and Essex.
Richard de Cani, Transport for London’s managing director of planning, said: “Overwhelming support has been demonstrated throughout the consultation process for this extension of London Overground network to Barking Riverside. This vital new railway will breathe life into this area.”
Barking Riverside residents voted 90% in favour of the extension at a consultation last year.
The scheme is fully funded, with £172m from Barking Riverside Limited, a joint development venture between GLA and London & Quadrant, and £91m from Transport for London.
Sir Peter Hendy, chair of Network Rail, recently told the London Assembly Transport Committee that more private funding will be needed for rail projects in the future.
London Overground announced today that Arriva are their preferred bidder for a £1.5bn contract to take over services, including improvements and extensions. New trains will also be introduced in 2018, transforming journeys on London Overground routes out of Liverpool Street and on the Gospel Oak to Barking line.
Construction is due to begin in late 2017 and trains will start running in 2021.