Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that the two new Tube stations making up the Northern Line Extension will open to the public on Monday 20 September. The two step-free, Zone 1 stations at Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms should dramatically improve the connectivity of these south London neighbourhoods and contribute to the capital’s recovery from the pandemic.
Major construction on the 3km twin-tunnel railway between Kennington and Battersea Power Station, via Nine Elms, began in 2015 and stayed on track despite the challenges of Covid-19.
Tube services on the extension will start on 20 September, running from Kennington station on the Charing Cross branch. There will be an initial peak time service of six trains per hour on the extension, increasing to 12 trains per hour by mid-2022. There will be five trains per hour during off-peak times, doubling to 10 trains per hour next year.
The Northern Line Extension is the first major Tube extension this century, supporting around 25,000 new jobs and more than 20,000 new homes.
Around 100 members of station staff are undertaking training to become familiar with the two new step-free stations, and Northern line drivers are receiving instruction on the new route.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “After an incredible effort from the huge number of people who worked on this project, it’s fantastic that we are now on the final countdown to the Northern Line Extension opening later this month.
“The two new stations at Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station are the first new stations on the Northern line for 80 years. They will hugely improve connectivity between these two areas and the rest of London, and play a major part in the capital’s recovery from the pandemic by supporting thousands of new jobs, homes and businesses.”
The opening of the Northern Line Extension comes ahead of the transformational Elizabeth line launching in the first half of next year, revolutionising travel across the capital.
“It has been a huge collaborative effort with our London-based stakeholders and suppliers from around the UK,” said Stuart Harvey, Director of Major Projects at TfL. “It’s going to be a fantastic moment when this thriving south London neighbourhood makes it onto the Tube map for the first time, which will also highlight the vital importance of public transport in connecting communities and assisting London in its continuing recovery from the pandemic.”
