16.01.15
‘Overwhelming’ support for London Overground extension
Plans to extend London Overground services to Barking Riverside received overwhelming support in a recent public consultation, with 90% of respondents in favour of the extension.
The proposals include an extension of the London Overground Gospel Oak to Barking line to a new station at the Barking Riverside development, which is the largest housing development site in east London. It has planning consent for up to 10,800 homes.
A six-week consultation on the new line ran between 8 September and 19 October and received 715 written responses, of which 699 came from members of the public and 90% supported the proposals.
As part of the 2014 Autumn Statement, the chancellor, George Osborne, announced a government loan of £55m to support the extension, meaning its full costs are now covered.
Michèle Dix CBE, TfL's managing director of planning, said: “This public consultation has demonstrated there is overwhelming support for this extension. Its introduction will directly unlock over 10,000 new homes. We will continue to develop the plans as quickly as possible with the intent to submit a formal application for powers to build the extension to government at the end of 2015. Subject to powers being granted, construction work could commence in 2017 with the extension opening by 2020.”
Planning work will now continue with a second public consultation expected in spring 2015. Subject to the outcome of consultations TfL will later this year seek to get powers from the Department for Transport (DfT) to build and operate this new section of railway.
Tell us what you think – have your say below or email [email protected]