Chuka Umunna MP

When Boris Johnson was running for Mayor in 2008 he included a pledge in his Transport Manifesto that said he would halt “the proposed Tube ticket office closures”, and ensure “there is always a manned ticket office at every station”. During his campaign he signed a petition that condemned plans to close Tube ticket offices and drastically reduce the opening hours of many others.

However, recent proposals from Transport for London suggest that the permanent closure of eleven ticket offices is under consideration and dozens more could face drastically reduced opening hours. The proposals would affect tube stations including Brixton, Clapham South, Clapham Common and Balham and result in hundreds of jobs being axed.

Under the proposals, Clapham South station ticket office would see its opening times cut by 46 hours per week, while Clapham Common station’s ticket office would be open for 32 fewer hours each week.

While currently Clapham South’s ticket office closes at 9.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays, under the Mayor’s planned changes it would be without a ticket office after 3.45pm on Saturday and 4.00pm on Sundays.

The ticket offices at Balham and Clapham Common will close at 7.45pm from Monday to Friday and Clapham South’s at 7.15pm, also closing for most of the afternoon, between 1.30pm and 5.00pm on weekdays.

If you would like to register your disappointment with the current proposals then you can contact to Transport for London at enquire {at} tfl.gov(.)uk, we will post any consultations on the proposals as soon as they are available.

Chuka Ummuna, who is opposing the planned reduction in ticket office opening hours, commented:

“Thousands of people use our underground stations on a daily basis and they form a vital connection with central London.

“The Mayor’s drastic cuts to opening times would see our local tube stations without ticket offices for hours on end at peak times.

“As well as the loss of customer service for tube users, I am concerned about the impact the changes could have on the safety of stations, particularly late at night.”

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham, has put the case for extending the tube to Streatham in his submission to TfL’s transport strategy consultation and is calling on local residents to join him.

People who want to back the campaign to bring the London Underground to Streatham should ensure they submit their responses before the consultation closes on Tuesday 12th January.

In his submission he outlined the benefits a tube extension would bring for local residents and businesses and the fact that there have been many previous plans to bring the London Underground to the area, none of which have come to fruition.

The tube would improve the area’s connections with central London, making life easier for commuters or people returning home after a night out whilst local shops and businesses would benefit from a boost in the number of potential customers coming to the area.

Linking Streatham into the tube network would help also relieve congestion on Streatham High Road, as well as the busy Victoria and Northern lines.

The Mayor’s Transport Strategy, published in October, recognised the lack of tube connections in South London, describing the “paucity of the Underground network” in the area and the need for “better public transport connectivity between inner north and inner south London”.

In September, TfL (Transport for London) confirmed that it is currently looking into a range of options to extend the Bakerloo line into South London, one of which could see the line come to Streatham.
Mr Umunna said:

“A tube stop is Streatham would massively improve local transport whilst bringing many knock-on benefits to our area.

“Having talked to people on the doorstep, it is also something which local residents are clearly in favour of.

“It is important that we keep up the pressure on the Mayor and TfL and make the case for bringing the London Underground here.”

People can register their views with TfL at http://mts.tfl.gov.uk/Have-your-say.aspx and sign the Bring the Tube to Streatham Petition at http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/bring-the-tube-to-streatham.html

The consultation process which followed the release of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy is closing next week.

People who want to put their views to the Mayor and back the campaign to bring the London Underground to Streatham should ensure they submit their responses before the consultation closes on Tuesday 12th January.

Responses can be made by filling in an online form or via email attachment.

To register your views, follow this link.

Chuka has made a submission to the consultation outlining the benefits a tube extension would bring for local residents and businesses, and the fact that many previous plans to bring the London Underground to the area have failed to come to fruition.

The Mayor’s Transport Strategy, which was published in October, confirmed that Transport for London (TfL) is looking into a range of options for extending the Bakerloo line into South London.

It also identified the current shortcomings of the transport system in South London, describing the “paucity of the Underground network in South London” and the need for “better public transport connectivity between inner north and inner south London”.

Sign the Bring the Tube to Streatham petition here.

To find out more about the campaign, follow this link

London Mayor Boris Johnson has announced a major consultation on the future of London transport, which includes the potential scheme to bring the London Underground to Streatham.

Following the publication of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, Londoners are being asked to register their views.

This is an important opportunity to let the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) know what a difference a tube extension to Streatham, currently under consideration, would make.

The Mayor’s Transport Strategy recognised the lack of transport connections in South London, describing the “paucity of the Underground network” in the area and the need for “better public transport connectivity between inner north and inner south London”.

It also confirms that TfL is looking into a number of options to extend the Bakerloo line southwards with the route currently being under development. The report pledges that the Bakerloo extension will serve “areas with poor transport accessibility”.

Despite these positive developments, we need to keep up pressure if we want a Streatham tube extension to become a reality.

The decision on where to build the tube extension will take into account the views of residents and you can take part in the consultation at http://www.london.gov.uk/shaping-london/ before it closes on January 12th 2010.

Registering views online only takes around 5 minutes and could help determine whether the Tube comes to Streatham or elsewhere.

If you haven’t yet signed the petition to bring the tube to Streatham, do so here.

London Mayor Boris Johnson has announced a major consultation on the future of London transport, including the potential scheme to bring the London Underground to Streatham.

Following the publication of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, Londoners are being asked to register their views online. Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham Chuka Umunna is urging people to use the opportunity to let the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) know what a difference a tube extension to Streatham, currently under consideration, would make.

The Strategy Document notes the lack of transport connections in South London and describes the “paucity of the Underground network” in the area, as well as the need for “better public transport connectivity between inner north and inner south London”.

It also confirms that TfL is looking into a number of options to extend the Bakerloo line southwards with the route currently being under development. The report pledges that the Bakerloo extension will serve “areas with poor transport accessibility”, a category into which local people argue Streatham falls.

The decision on where to build the tube extension will take into account the views of residents and people can take part in the consultation at http://mts.tfl.gov.uk/Have-your-say.aspx before it closes on January 12th 2010. Registering views online only takes around 5 minutes and could help determine whether the Tube comes to Streatham or elsewhere.

Supporters of the campaign should also sign the petition to bring the tube to Streatham at: http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/bring-the-tube-to-streatham.html

Chuka Umunna said:

“It is important that we take up this opportunity to send a strong message to TfL and the Mayor and let them know what a massive difference having the tube in Streatham would make.

“Our campaign is having an impact at the highest levels, and we must keep up the momentum if we want a Streatham tube extension to become a reality.

“I urge local residents to take part in the Mayor’s consultation as well as signing the petition.”

The campaign to Bring the Tube to Streatham was launched in July by Chuka Umunna and local people after TfL confirmed that it was considering extending the Bakerloo line to Bromley in Kent.

Chuka’s letter was published in the Streatham Guardian on 8 October 2009, in response to a letter which featured the previous week:

What a pity that instead of hopping on board residents’ campaign to bring the tube to Streatham, Cllr Jeremy Clyne chooses to pour cold water on the idea (“No sign of Tube stop”, Letters, 1 October 2009). He suggests we claim TfL has already made a commitment to bring the tube to Streatham – this is certainly not the case otherwise what would be the point of the
campaign.

TfL initially only considered extending the Bakerloo line to Bromley via
Lewisham; thanks to hundreds of people like S Kazi (“Keep up Tube Momentum”, Letters, 24 September 2009) joining our campaign, TfL – whom I met with last month – is now considering two other options for the extension including one to Streatham via Camberwell and Herne Hill. To help make this a reality w need thousands not hundreds of signatures so I’d encourage everyone to sign the petition at www.gopetition.com/petitions/bring-the-tube-to-streatham.html.

I have already joined forces with Cllr Clyne’s Lib Dem colleague, Vince
Cable MP, to campaign for a high pay commission and to argue against the Tories attack on our civil liberties. What a shame that Cllr Clyne refuses to follow his colleague’s example here to work across party lines with a Labour politician to improve things for local people.

Chuka Umunna
Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Streatham

Transport for London has announced that it is now considering extending the Bakerloo line to Streatham, following a high-profile campaign to bring the London Underground to the area led by Labour parliamentary candidate Chuka Umunna.

This week Transport for London (TfL) confirmed that it is now considering three options for the southward extension of the Bakerloo line, where previously it was only considering one, to Bromley in Kent via Lewisham.

One of the options now on the table is an extension to Streatham via Camberwell and Herne Hill, with preliminary investigations being made. A third option of extending the line to Catford is also now under consideration.

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham, launched the campaign to bring the tube to Streatham with local residents in July, after TfL confirmed that it was considering plans to extend the Bakerloo line to Bromley and Hayes in Kent. He and local people argued that it was unfair for Streatham to be left out of the Bakerloo discussions.

London Mayor Boris Johnson was accused of political bias in neglecting the transport needs of inner London. A petition was launched demanding that TfL also consider an extension to Streatham.
The Bakerloo line is considered the best option for bringing the London Underground to Streatham because of the capacity constraints which exist on the Victoria and Northern lines. TfL expects any Bakerloo extension plans to come to fruition after 2025.

Commenting on TfL’s decision, Umunna said:

“I am delighted that TfL is now considering a tube extension to Streatham. It is testament to the depth of feeling here in Streatham and the fact that so many local residents have got behind our campaign.

“However, the battle for the tube has only just started – Streatham is an “option” and we need to turn this into a reality. So far we have hundreds of signatures – we need thousands so I’d encourage every resident to go online and sign the petition.

“It is important that we continue to make the case for Streatham as Transport for London begins its investigation. The more local people who get behind bringing the tube here, the more chance it has of becoming a reality.”

This week, Chuka launches a campaign to bring the tube to Streatham. He and local campaigners are calling on Mayor Boris Johnson to ensure that Streatham is considered in any future plans to extend the tube southwards, and an online petition has been set up for supporters of the campaign.

In February, Mayor Johnson stated that it is his ambition to extend the Bakerloo line southwards to Lewisham and beyond. Last week we obtained confirmation that TfL is working on these plans, looking into the feasibility of such a scheme.

Chuka is demanding to know why Streatham is not being considered for any possible southwards extension of the tube when Lewisham, for example, is already well-served by the Docklands Light Railway extension which opened in 1999.

The Bakerloo line could instead be extended southwards from Elephant & Castle via Camberwell and Brixton to Streatham. This would have the added benefit of relieving congestion on Streatham High Road.

However, The Bakerloo line is only one of the options available for bringing the tube to Streatham. The planned Crossrail 2 scheme, running from Chelsea to Hackney, would considerably relieve congestion on the Victoria line, creating the potential for an extension of the Victoria line to Streatham from Brixton.

Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Chuka said:

“I have lived here for most of my life and people have been talking about the desirability of having the tube in Streatham for as long as I can remember.

“This campaign is a long term project. Public finances are going to be tight for the next few years but we need to build up a head of steam behind this now so that when there is more money about, we are in a good position to demand it is used to finally bring the tube here.

Streatham residents’ hopes of getting a tube extension have a long history of false starts and disappointment. In the original plans for the Victoria line included in the 1946 London Plan, it was intended that the line would run to Streatham and on to Croydon. This scheme even received approval in Parliament, but was never built because of a lack of finance.

Chuka said,

“Streatham has been ignored for far too long while other areas have benefited from better transport provision. It is bad enough that our direct Thameslink connections are under threat, but the fact that TfL is looking at extending the Bakerloo line without even considering our area as a station destination, is not on. We deserve better.”

“This area would benefit hugely from a tube station. As well as obvious
benefits for local residents, it would give a massive boost to the regeneration of Streatham and the local economy.

“We are going to work together to put pressure on TfL to consider Streatham a top priority for tube improvements in South London.”

You can sign up to the petition to bring the tube to Streatham here: Bring the tube to Streatham petition

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham, has launched a campaign to bring London Underground to Streatham. Mr Umunna and local campaigners are calling on Mayor Boris Johnson to ensure that Streatham is considered in any future plans to extend the tube southwards and an online petition has been set up for supporters of the campaign.

Mayor Johnson said in passing at a Mayor’s Question Time event in February that he has ambitions to extend the Bakerloo line to Lewisham, however no official announcement has been made nor further details given.

Mr Umunna has now obtained confirmation from Transport for London (TfL) that Mayor Johnson and TfL are considering plans to extend the Bakerloo line southwards to Lewisham and an examination of the feasibility of such a scheme is at an advanced stage.

Mr Umunna and local residents are demanding to know why an extension of the Bakerloo line to Streatham as an alternative has not also been considered as part of this study. They argue that Streatham is in greater need of improved transport links and that Lewisham is already well served by various transport connections, including the extension of the Docklands Light Railway to Lewisham which opened in 1999, adding to existing bus and train connections in that area.

Instead of Lewisham, Umunna and campaigners say that a southward Bakerloo line extension from Elephant & Castle, where the line currently terminates, could run through Camberwell and Brixton to Streatham and should be considered. Such an extension would have the added benefit of relieving congestion on the very busy Streatham High Road part of the A23 (Europe’s longest High Street) and on the Northern and Victoria lines in neighbouring Clapham and Brixton.

The Bakerloo line is only one of the options available for bringing the tube to Streatham. Currently, the Victoria line’s capacity constraints make it difficult to extend it beyond Brixton. But the planned Crossrail 2 scheme, running from Chelsea to Hackney, would considerably relieve congestion on the Victoria line, creating the potential for an extension southwards to Streatham from Brixton. Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Mr Umunna said:

“I have lived here for most of my life and people have been talking about the desirability of having the tube in Streatham for as long as I can remember.

“This campaign is a long term project. Public finances are going to be tight for the next few years but we need to build up a head of steam behind this now so that when there is more money about, we are in a good position to demand it is used to finally bring the tube here.

“Streatham has been ignored for far too long while other areas have benefited from better transport provision. It is bad enough that our direct Thameslink connections are under threat, but the fact that TfL is looking into extending the Bakerloo line to Lewisham without even considering our area as an alternative, is not on. This community deserves better.”

Streatham residents’ hopes of getting a tube extension have a long history of false starts and disappointment. In the original plans for the Victoria line included in the 1946 London Plan, it was intended that the line would run to Streatham and on to Croydon. This scheme even received approval in Parliament in 1954, but was never built because of a lack of finance.

Recently, it was announced that Battersea would benefit from an extension of the Northern line and a new station, costing a total of £850m.

Mr Umunna and campaigners argue that local businesses in Streatham would benefit from the area being linked to central London by the tube.

Streatham’s poor transport links have too often held our area back in the past. Bringing the tube to Streatham would dovetail with regeneration of the area, such as the Streatham Hub project. More people would be attracted to visit the area and its attractions, which include one of London’s only ice rinks.

Commenting further on the campaign, Mr Umunna said:

“This area would benefit hugely from a tube station. As well as obvious
benefits for local residents, it would give a massive boost to the regeneration of Streatham and the local economy.

“We are demanding that TfL considers Streatham the top priority for tube improvements in South London.”

Members of the public can sign up to a petition to bring the tube to Streatham : http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/bring-the-tube-to-streatham.html.