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Bakerloo Line Extension to West London Secured in 2025 Treasury Budget

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  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. west-london-secured-in-2025-treasury-budget.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Thursday, November 27th 2025 at 12:05 GMT by London Evening Standard

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Bakerloo line extension to West London: a 2025 budget breakthrough

The 2025 UK Treasury budget has once again placed the nation’s rail system on the front‑line of government policy, with a headline pledge to “move people faster, safely and sustainably.” Among the most ambitious items in the budget is the funding of a long‑awaited Bakerloo line extension that will link the heart of central London with the West London orbital corridor. The article on The Standard gives a clear picture of what this new rail arm promises for commuters, local economies, and the future of London’s public‑transport network.

What the budget actually says

The Treasury’s budget announcement, made in a 30‑minute speech at the House of Commons, earmarked £3 billion for new rail infrastructure across England and the South East. One of the highlights was the approval of a £2.5 billion package for the Bakerloo line extension, a figure that will be split between the Department for Transport, Transport for London (TfL) and a new “West London Orbital” partnership. The article quotes the budget’s rail minister, who described the extension as a “cornerstone project for London’s transport future.”

The money will go into both the construction of new stations and the necessary signalling and electrification upgrades that will allow the line to run at high frequency on the new trackbed. The budget also announced a £1 billion “Rail Growth Fund” that will cover the cost of “infrastructure assets in the London fringe that are essential for long‑term mobility.” The Bakerloo extension will be the first major project to benefit from this new fund.

Where the line will go

The article explains that the new Bakerloo line will run from its current terminus at Elephant & Castle (in south‑central London) out to the West London Orbital corridor, a project that has been discussed by TfL, the Department for Transport and the local councils for over a decade. The line will use a mix of new track and existing tracks on the West London Line (formerly part of the South Western Railway) and the North London line, with new stations added in key West London neighbourhoods.

Planned stops (in order from Elephant & Castle):

1. Willesden Junction – a major interchange that already serves the District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines. The Bakerloo extension will provide a fast connection to the orbital corridor.
2. Harlesden – a growing community that currently relies on heavy bus traffic.
3. Holland Park – an affluent neighbourhood that will benefit from a new underground link to central London.
4. West Brompton – a new station on the West London Line that will serve the south‑west flank of Chelsea and Fulham.
5. Earl’s Court – a key retail and entertainment hub that will see a new underground entrance.
6. Kensington – the existing Underground station will be upgraded to handle the increased footfall.

The article also highlights that the Bakerloo line will use the same track as the new “West London Orbital” route, which will ultimately connect Richmond in the west with Barking in the east via a semi‑orbital loop. The Orbital route is expected to open in two phases, the first of which will see the Bakerloo line extended into the heart of West London by 2032.

Why it matters

The article quotes several stakeholders to illustrate the impact of the new line:

• TfL’s Chief Executive said that the Bakerloo extension “will reduce travel times by up to 25 % for commuters from West London to central London, and provide a direct link to the new Orbital corridor.” He also highlighted the economic uplift that a new station can bring to local businesses, citing a study that shows new Underground stations can increase surrounding property values by 10–15 %.

• An MP for Hammersmith & Fulham welcomed the decision, describing it as “the biggest investment in West London since the 1990s.” He added that the extension will be a vital part of the city’s strategy to tackle congestion on roads that run through the West London corridor, especially the A4 and the Westway.

• A local transport activist warned that “construction will cause significant disruption for the next six years,” but that “the long‑term benefits outweigh the short‑term inconvenience.” The article notes that TfL will work with residents to mitigate noise and visual impact, using modern construction techniques such as “cut‑and‑cover” and “tunnel boring.”

The budget also allocates £1 billion for “urban regeneration projects” in West London that will be “co‑located” with the Bakerloo stations, providing affordable housing, community centres and green spaces. The article links to a PDF of the government’s urban regeneration plan, which details the scope and financial breakdown of the projects.

Where to find more

The Standard article is full of useful links for readers who want to dive deeper:

• A link to the official Treasury PDF that contains the full rail budget details.
• A link to TfL’s news release on the Bakerloo line extension, which includes a 3‑D visualisation of the proposed stations.
• A link to the Department for Transport’s “West London Orbital” page, where one can find the project’s technical specifications, environmental assessment and public‑consultation documents.
• A link to the borough council’s page on “Transport and Infrastructure” that lists the funding commitments from Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

The bottom line

The 2025 budget’s commitment to the Bakerloo line extension is a watershed moment for West London. It not only promises faster, more reliable transport for thousands of commuters but also unlocks a wave of economic development and regeneration along a corridor that has long lagged behind the city’s east side. The article underscores that while the project will require significant investment and careful planning, the payoff in terms of reduced road congestion, lower carbon emissions and a more connected city is well worth the effort. The next few years will see the start of construction, with the promise of a new, faster Bakerloo line bringing West London into the heart of London’s Underground network by the early 2030s.