Transport for London has taken a fresh step toward replacing the Bakerloo line's ageing trains, appointing engineering firm AECOM to carry out a feasibility study on the depot and infrastructure changes needed to support a new fleet. The line's current trains, introduced in 1972, are the oldest passenger trains still in daily service on the UK rail network.
AECOM, working with Arcadis, will examine what's needed at Stonebridge Park Depot, the Queen's Park area, and the London Road sidings at Elephant & Castle to prepare for new rolling stock — including reversing capability at Queen's Park and a rebuild of the Stonebridge Park depot building. The study covers planning, engineering, environmental assessments and initial infrastructure design, though it doesn't cover the trains themselves. AECOM's rail director for London and the South East called it a milestone moment for the programme.
Timeline: TfL is currently prioritising upgrades to the Piccadilly line, expected to finish by summer 2027. Work on Bakerloo's overhaul is projected to start in 2027 and run until December 2034, meaning new trains could arrive around 2035.
Why this matters — and why the campaign continues
This is real progress, but, the wider programme is still not fully funded. Government capital funding has moved the Bakerloo Line Upgrade (BLU) forward, but securing further investment is needed to deliver the full new fleet and unlock the line's benefits for the long term.
More significantly, the Bakerloo line extension (BLE) — which would bring the Tube into south-east London for the first time via Burgess Park, Old Kent Road, New Cross Gate and Lewisham, with a further potential extension to Hayes and Beckenham Junction, still has no funding and no delivery date. The campaign notes the upgrade and extension are closely linked: the extension depends on the existing fleet being replaced first.
The stakes are substantial. Campaign figures, drawn from the Moving London Forward impact report, put the combined upgrade and extension among the biggest growth opportunities for London and the UK, citing potential contributions including:
- £1.5bn a year in added value to the UK economy
- 150,000 jobs supported across the line and construction supply chain
- 107,000 new homes along the length of the line
- A 20% cut in energy consumption from renewed, more efficient trains
The extension alone would support over 60,000 homes and 9,700 jobs along its route.
89% of respondents supported the proposals in TfL's last public consultation, with a further consultation planned for 2027.
The ask: Back the Bakerloo is calling on government to commit dedicated capital funding for the extension and long-term funding to complete the upgrade, so both can be delivered together, allowing TfL to set a clear delivery timetable. Supporters can join the campaign at backthebakerloo.org.uk, or use #BackTheBakerloo and #Biz4Bakerloo on social media.