Travel Desk

The decision by Mayor Johnson to give the go-ahead for an extension to the East London Line to Clapham Junction South has been "welcomed" by Wandsworth council.

A spokesman for Wandsworth Council said:

"Today’s announcement follows an eight year council campaign to secure funding for the connection.  The scheme will create a direct link to Surrey Quays, and new routes to the City and Docklands. Services will also stop at Wandsworth Road Station and should be in operation in time for the 2012 Olympic Games."
 
Four trains an hour will run in each direction between Dalston Junction and Clapham Junction calling at all stations en route.
 
The £75 million costs will be split between Transport for London, City Hall and the Government.
 
Wandsworth’s cabinet member for Planning and Transport, Guy Senior, explains that the new infrastructure will provide economic benefits and will ease congestion on south London services:
 
“This is excellent news for Wandsworth and will breathe new life into the heart of Battersea.  The announcement will be welcomed by the area’s investors and will add momentum to the regeneration work already underway.  
 
The council has fought long and hard to persuade TfL, the Mayor and the Government to the share costs of this project.  We are delighted that they have finally plugged the funding gap and will move ahead with crucial link in our transport strategy.
 
Life will become easier for the thousands of commuters that use south London services - the new line will relieve overcrowding on existing routes and allow passengers to make cross-London journeys without having to pass through Zone One.”
 
Mayor Boris Johnson added: “This is tremendous news. We can finally get cracking on a vital section of track that will orbitise our overground rail services.”

The council has been lobbying for the new East London Line link as part of its ten-point plan for improved transport services at Clapham Junction.

Wandsworth is a member of the East London Line Group which comprises Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Hackney, Islington, Lewisham, Lambeth, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets and the City of London.