Transport for London has published its budget and business plan for 2016/17. Unsurprisingly, it includes several commitments for rail, most of which are confirming previously announced plans.
Amongst the rail projects included are:
- Crossrail, with construction continuing in preparation for the Elizabeth line to open in 2018;
- Redevelopment of the London Underground network with new signalling for the Sub Surface Lines, extensions to the Northern and Metropolitan lines, and a number of station improvements;
- Introduction of the Night Tube;
- An increase to the station accessibility fund, up from £75 million to £150 million, in line with the target of having 50% of all stations step-free by 2018;
- Electrification of the Gospel Oak to Barking line on the London Overground network, together with modernisation of stations taken over from West Anglia in 2015.
The GLA budget, announced in February 2016, included a £250 million fund for two new overground stations at Old Oak Common, linking with Crossrail, national rail and HS2, and £100 million towards a potential extension to the tram network to Sutton.
New Tube for London, the replacement of rolling stock on the Piccadilly, Bakerloo and Waterloo & City lines, is also included in the document as is a possible southern extension of the Bakerloo line to Catford Bridge.
Image courtesy of PriestmanGoode/Transport for London.
