Boris Johnson has welcomed Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin’s decision to approve the Northern line extension from Kennington to Battersea.
The extension will create a spur from Kennington serving two new stations at Nine Elms and Battersea and is expected to act as a catalyst for jobs, investment and regeneration in the Nine Elms area.
Transport for London says work on the £1bn project will commence “early next year” with services expected to run by 2020.
Around 1,000 new jobs will be created by the scheme, including 50 new apprenticeship opportunities.
In August Transport for London appointed Ferrovial Agroman Laing O’Rourke to build the extension which will be funded by a levy on local developments.
Welcoming the government’s decision, Mayor Boris Johnson, said: “I am delighted we can confirm that early next year the spades will be hitting the ground for the creation of the Northern line extension.
“Driven by improved transport links this part of central London is set to move forward a century in a matter of a few years, supporting 24,000 new jobs and more than 18,000 new homes.
“The benefits of major infrastructure projects such as this are enormous – cutting journey times for passengers, supporting London’s future growth and creating jobs right across the UK.”
Ravi Govindia, leader of Wandsworth Council, said: “This is fantastic news for the people of Battersea and the benefits will be felt right across Wandsworth.
“This part of the borough is already coming to life with thousands of new homes and jobs and its two new Tube stations will turbo-charge the process.
“The Northern line extension will take the pressure off the rest of our local transport network and gives Nine Elms official Zone One status.”
