Surrey Canal Station still possible
NEW 'MILLWALL' STATION COULD STILL BE ON CARDS
Southwark News 26 November 2009 John Prendergast
A new train station that would serve Millwall Football Club and the surrounding area could now be built, just months after being apparently dropped from plans.
The 'News' reported in June that £7million worth of funding to build Surrey Canal Station, to be constructed on the East London Line extension, had been lost, after Transport for London (TFL) missed a deadline set by the Department of Transport (DfT).
At the time, Mayor Boris Johnson stated that TfL did not have enough time to carry out a viability study on the station, and as the offer was time limited they could not take the cash.
However, TFL have indicated that it is back in plans and money could be available before the New Year.
A TfL spokesperson said: "The funding package for East London Line Phase 2 did not include the cost of building a new station at Surrey Canal Road. TfL and the London Borough of Lewisham have met with the Department for Transport to discuss the case for funding a new station in this location. We hope to have the go ahead by the end of the year."
If it went ahead the route would split off after Surrey Quays station and run through the new station, close to Millwall's football stadium, and then on to Peckham Rye. The location of the station is thought to be in Ilderton Road, near the junction of Surrey Canal Road.
Discussions have already taken place between TfL, Lewisham Council and Millwall about the plans, which would be a boost to the club, local residents and businesses in South Bermondsey.
However, although the news represents a change in direction from TfL, the spokesman added: "The talks are ongoing to get funding, but as yet it is still not a done deal."
Phase two of the East London Line extension will run from Surrey Quays through Peckham onto Denmark Hill, before stopping at Clapham High Street and Wandsworth Road. It would finish an orbital route within London and is due to be completed by 2012.
see also article at
East London Lines -connecting communities: Threatened Surrey Canal Road station now back on track