Residents of Ladywell, a Zone 3 neighbourhood in South London, are intensifying calls for the long-promised Bakerloo line extension, describing their area as a "public transport desert" due to frequent delays and cancellations on Southeastern services. The extension, which would run from Elephant and Castle to Lewisham with new stations at Burgess Park, Old Kent Road, and New Cross Gate, has been discussed for decades but remains unfunded, leaving locals feeling overlooked compared to other parts of the capital.
Unreliable services push commuters to alternatives
Ladywell station, served by Southeastern trains to London Bridge and Charing Cross, has become a source of frustration for daily users. One local business owner, who moved to the area in 2004, told MyLondon: "I often just go to Lewisham station and take the train from there because Ladywell is so unreliable. Whenever there’s bad weather or it’s hot during the summer there’s always disruption." The resident, who has worked in the area since the early 1990s, noted that services have deteriorated over the years, with direct trains to Bromley removed, and weekend closures making airport travel particularly difficult. "Getting to Heathrow or Gatwick is also a nightmare. I’m going on a trip in August and need to be at Heathrow for 7am at the weekend, and there is no other way except an Uber, which is ridiculous," they added.
Brooke Jamieson, who works in a gift shop on Ladywell Road, echoed these concerns, noting that the Windrush line at nearby Brockley also suffers from frequent disruptions. "There are constant cancellations and closures which affect the service. That really causes a problem because there's not many ways to get into Central London," she said. Jamieson highlighted that buses are often overcrowded as a result, and that younger residents, drawn by cheaper housing, face longer commutes. "I’ve lived in this area for three years and I feel this frustration the longer I’m here. It’s the same with my colleagues, a lot of us are younger and it’s cheaper to live around here, but it would be much better if it took us less time to get out," she explained.
Bakerloo extension: A decade of delays
The Bakerloo line upgrade is scheduled to begin in summer 2027, with Stonebridge Park Depot in North West London being revamped to accommodate new trains arriving in the 2030s. After that, Transport for London (TfL) will seek funding for the extension to Lewisham, with an eventual option to use existing track to reach Hayes. However, progress has been slow since former Mayor Boris Johnson revived expansion plans in 2014. Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has consistently supported the project, but other rail schemes, such as the DLR extension to Thamesmead (approved last November) and the West London Orbital Overground route, have taken precedence.
The potential benefits are clear from the Elizabeth line's impact on Abbey Wood, which saw an 11 per cent increase in access to employment and a six per cent rise in new homes, according to a TfL study published in early 2025. Similar gains could spread to Erith, Bexleyheath, and Dartford, where journey times to Canary Wharf and Liverpool Street have already been reduced. Dog walker Bridget Wood, speaking outside Ladywell station, believes the Bakerloo extension would have a comparable effect to the Windrush line's arrival in Brockley. "Since the Windrush line has been in place for Brockley it’s so much easier to get around. I used to have to travel to work all the time from Brockley and if the train was cancelled or full, I was stuck which always made me late for work," she said. "I can only imagine bringing the Bakerloo line to Ladywell would be comparable to this. A lot more people are going to the office compared to just after the COVID pandemic so we need more services to reflect that. The infrastructure’s already here to extend the line down to Hayes so why not? They’ve been talking about it for donkey’s years."
Local businesses see opportunity
Emine Enver, owner of Ladywell Dry Cleaners, described the area as a "treasure trove" and acknowledged the existing direct trains to London Bridge and Charing Cross are a plus. However, she noted that links to other parts of South East London are poor. "This being said it would be nice for them to extend the Bakerloo line as links to other parts of South East London aren’t great. The line might also bring more visitors to the area which would help a lot of the small businesses," she told MyLondon.
In the meantime, Southeastern is undertaking a £20 million upgrade of 1,800 metres of track between Charing Cross and Waterloo East, with both stations closed until Monday, August 17. The work includes drainage improvements, foundation rebuilding, and structural repairs to the 175-year-old Hungerford Bridge. Scott Brightwell, safety, planning and performance director at Southeastern Railway, said: "We know closing two of London's busiest stations for more than three weeks will be inconvenient for many of our customers, and we'd like to thank them for their patience while this essential work takes place. The good news is that customers will still be able to travel into central London throughout the closure using alternative routes, although journeys and train times will be different."
Residents argue that such disruptions underscore the need for a more resilient transport network, with the Bakerloo extension seen as a vital step to connect South East London to the rest of the capital.
