Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said he is ‘disappointed’ by the government not committing to backing the DLR extension to Thamesmead or Bakerloo line extension in its latest spending review. A Labour London Assembly Member added that the review represented a ‘missed opportunity’ to deliver the projects.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed on Wednesday, June 11, that the government would be entering into a four-year funding settlement with Transport for London (TfL). However, there was no confirmation from the Chancellor on specific funding to be allocated to the proposed DLR extension to Thamesmead, nor the Bakerloo line extension – which would see the service extending to serve Lewisham via Southwark, as well as the opportunity to extend the service further to Hayes and Beckenham Junction.
Responding to the spending review, the Mayor said he was ‘disappointed’ by the lack of commitment from the Treasury to invest in ‘the new infrastructure London needs’.
The Mayor said: “Projects such as extending the Docklands Light Railway not only deliver economic growth across the country, but also tens of thousands of new affordable homes and jobs for Londoners. Unless the government invests in infrastructure like this in our capital, we will not be able to build the numbers of new affordable homes Londoners need.”
He added: “As Mayor, I’ll continue to make the case to the government that we must work together for the benefit of our capital and the whole country. The way to level up other regions will never be to level down London. I’ll continue to fight for the investment we need so that we can continue building a fairer, safer and greener London for everyone.”
However, Sir Sadiq did welcome the government’s decision to commit to a multi-year deal for funding TfL, providing £2.2 billion in capital funding over four years. Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said the new funding agreement was ‘much-needed’, saying it would allow for the support of new homes, jobs and economic growth in the capital.
While the new deal does not confirm support for the DLR extension, the commissioner did say that new trans for the DLR would now be possible, as well as further discussions on acquiring new Bakerloo line trains.
Elly Baker AM, London Assembly Labour spokesperson for transport, said the spending review was a ‘missed opportunity’ to allocate funding for the Bakerloo and DLR extensions. She said she would like to see the funding confirmed for the projects in the near future.
She said: “The new TfL settlement is the largest multi-year deal for London in over a decade. Investment into capital renewals is vital in updating some of our older stock of tube carriages and buses as well as maintaining our road network. I’ll be looking carefully at the details so we ensure it can keep our vital network running effectively for all Londoners.
“We have come a long way from the previous Government and a previous Mayor of London working together to axe TfL’s operating grant and putting our transport network at risk.”
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