Tunnelling work on the Northern Line extension to Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station will begin in March, Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced.
The £1.2 billion project will support the regeneration of both areas and will help to ensure that the iconic power station will finally be be brought back into use after more than two decades of neglect.
Housing and development schemes confirmed for the areas will see more than 20,000 new homes built and will support around 25,000 new jobs. The construction work alone is supporting around 1,000 jobs, including 50 apprenticeships
Mayor Khan confirmed the tunnelling start date as two boring machines, one named after British aviation pioneer Amy Johnson and the second after astronaut Helen Sharman, were unveiled in Battersea by his transport deputy, Val Shawcross.
The 650-tonne machines will create two 3.2km tunnels linking the Charing Cross branch of the Northern line from Kennington to Battersea.
Mr Khan, said: “It’s great news that we are going to begin tunnelling for the Northern Line Extension.
“Extending the line to Nine Elms and Battersea is going to be a real boost to south London, with the improved transport link helping to provide thousands of homes and jobs for Londoners.”
Mark Wild, Managing Director of London Underground, added: “This is a historic moment for London Underground as we prepare to start tunnelling to create the first extension to our iconic Tube network for nearly two decades.
“The Northern Line Extension will bring Battersea and surrounding areas to within 15 minutes of the West End and City.
“It will also help us to support jobs, homes and growth in this part of south London, help keep pace with the Capital’s rapidly rising population, and is creating jobs through the supply chain across the UK.”
