1. Please can you provide an update on the status of the Metropolitan Line Extention / Croxly Rail route 2. Please can you provide an update on the status of the Bakerloo Line Extention.

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TfL Ref: 1903-1718

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 15 October 2017 asking for information about the Metropolitan Line Extension (MLX) and the Bakerloo Line Extension (BLE).

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked:

1. Please can you provide an update on the status of the Metropolitan Line Extension / Croxley Rail route?

The project to divert and extend the Metropolitan line from just north of Croxley to Watford Junction via two new stations at Cassiobridge and Watford Vicarage Road was promoted and was originally being delivered by Hertfordshire County Council (HCC).

In 2015, TfL was asked to take over delivery from HCC due to the rise in costs and programme slippage. The MLX scheme formally transferred to TfL in November 2015, with an agreed funding package of £284.4m, which included a contribution of £49.23million from TfL.

Since the transfer, the scheme design has progressed considerably and is ready to move in to the delivery phase. As a result of the work TfL has been doing to complete the detailed designs, there is now a much greater understanding of the true costs of the project. The scheme cannot be delivered within the funding package of £284.4m agreed at the time of transfer in 2015, and at least £70m more will be required. This rise in costs is not because of a change in scope, but is a reflection of what the market is telling us.

TfL is unable to cover the costs above the agreed funding package, particularly in the context of the Government’s removal of TfL’s operating grant. Other funders would need to consider alternative funding arrangements to meet the additional costs of the scheme. Until then the project is on hold, however TfL’s contribution towards the current funding package remains on the table.

The Transport and Works Act Order powers for the project will lapse in August 2018. A revised funding package will need to be agreed by the end of 2017 in order for the necessary works to commence by August 2018 to keep the Powers intact.

2. Please can you provide an update on the status of the Bakerloo Line Extension?

Further to our public consultation campaign in spring of this year, we are now conducting a detailed assessment of comments made during the consultation to understand all the issues that have been raised by respondents.

Our response to these comments will be in the form of a “Response to issues raised document”. This will be subject to the volume and complexity of the issues raised and any assessments we will need to carry out in order to address these.

We will also continue to develop our proposals to progress towards an application for planning powers. This will include considering whether the proposals we consulted on during spring 2017 need to change, as well as developing them further. Once we have decided on the preferred location of stations and shafts along the route we will develop the tunnel route to link these locations. In the event that any potential changes to the scheme are identified we will undertake further public consultation on these aspects.

Our current timescale for completion of the proposed scheme is estimated to be by 2029. This is subject to a number of factors, including future public consultation on revised route options, acquiring planning powers and funding to construct the BLE.

You can view our latest report (The consultation report) here: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/tube/bakerloo-extension/

If this is not the information you are looking for, please feel free to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely,

Melissa Nichols

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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