Southwark Council to Foot Bill for Bakerloo Rail Replacement Service

Southwark Council is set to spend £5 million on the “Bakerloop” bus service, which mirrors the proposed route of the Bakerloo Line Extension.  

Liberal Democrats had previously criticised the bus as a “vanity project” and a distraction from Labour’s failure to secure funding for the Bakerloo Line Extension. The Bakerloo Line Extension, if implemented, is said to unlock at least 100,000 homes across the capital, including thousands of affordable homes in Southwark. 

The Bakerloop bus service was proposed by TfL in a consultation earlier this year – but it was not suggested at that time that anyone but TfL would fund it. The £5 million from Southwark represents around 14% of the £36 million total cost of the service over a 7 year period. 

Cllr Victor Chamberlain, Southwark Liberal Democrat Opposition Leader said:  

“Not only has Labour failed to invest in the Bakerloo Line Extension, but they’re now asking Southwark Council to foot the bill for their phoney rail replacement service.  

Labour run every council on the route, have a Labour London Mayor, and are in Government. If Labour wanted to get the Bakerloo Line Extension done, they could do it. Instead they’re getting distracted spending millions on a rail replacement service before the train even exists!”