East London Line
The East London Line (ELL) currently extends from Whitechapel to New Cross/New Cross Gate and is one of only a few cross-river rail links in London. Though short in length at present, its extension linking into Network Rail's system in both north and south London will transform the line from the short, shuttle service that it is today, into a strategic cross-river railway for London.
Approval to extend the ELL northwards to connect with Network Rail's North London Line at Dalston was granted in January 1997 by the Secretary of State for Transport. The application to obtain the necessary planning powers for a southern extension to the ELL was submitted to the Secretary of State in March 2000 by London Underground Limited and a decision is awaited.
The southern extension comprises two links that will connect the ELL to the Network Rail network in south London.
The South London Line Link would extend from Surrey Quays station to Network Rail's South London line, making use of a disused railway alignment, providing services which could run to Wimbledon via Peckham, Tulse Hill and Streatham; and Clapham Junction via Wandsworth.
The New Cross Gate Link would extend from New Cross Gate station to Network Rail's Croydon lines, giving access to destinations such as West Croydon via Forest Hill. In the London-bound direction a flyover would be built at New Cross Gate to take this link over the Network Rail lines.
The ELL extension will bring substantial benefits both London-wide and to Croydon as follows:
- The scheme represents a prime example of integrated transport, providing a local, commuter and cross-London service linking with the Underground, main line railways, Docklands Light Rail, Croydon Tramlink and buses.
- It significantly reduces journey time from north and south London to the City, Docklands and Central London.
- It will serve half of all Welfare to Work young people in Greater London and also link together three of the four regeneration corridors for London as identified in the Strategic Planning Guidance for London authorities, 1996 (RPG3) i.e. Lee Valley, Thames Gateway and the London Wandle Valley. Moreover, within the three regeneration corridors, the extensions will provide links to key regeneration sites, i.e. Canary Wharf, Docklands, the City Fringe, the Hackney Regeneration Area, Crystal Palace and Croydon town centre.
The council fully supports the ELL and has been an active member of the ELL Group, a joint body representing the interests of the London boroughs, local businesses, regeneration agencies and public/private partnerships along the route, since 1995.
