Long lost TfL schemes from 1988

[NorthKent1989]

Some of these schemes did come to pass by the then projected, future year of 2000, such as the DLR extensions to Beckton and Lewisham, and the Croydon Tramlink.

Others went by the way side, even now we're just about close to extending the Bakerloo line, though the plan back then was to extend it along the same route the Jubilee line was extended to a decade later.

One scheme in particular that is interesting is the figure of 8 tube line based around Oxford Street, here's the map of the route, scroll down to number 14

Londonist.com: The Future Of London Transport... From 1988

Figure-of-eight tube line

Did it happen? No. Even in the 1980s, some of the busier tube stations could get dangerously overcrowded. One suggestion was to build an entirely new line in the shape of a figure-8, centred on Oxford Circus (shown in purple on the map above). It would act as a relief line for the existing central network. We would, no doubt, have called it the Bow Tie line.

 

[Techniquest]

That was quite an interesting read, it must be said. Quite excited for my visit on Thursday evening/Friday morning now!

 

[Busaholic]

Surprised the author seemed unaware of the extension of the Northern Line from Kennington to Battersea, thus making Streatham or Peckham unavailable!

 

[NorthKent1989]

Surprised the author seemed unaware of the extension of the Northern Line from Kennington to Battersea, thus making Streatham or Peckham unavailable!

In hindsight perhaps the Streatham/Peckham extension might've been better
I think the Battersea extension should continue to Clapham Junction

 

[Busaholic]

In hindsight perhaps the Streatham/Peckham extension might've been better

Kennington-Camberwell-Peckham (at least) always seemed so obvious to me that I could only assume there were huge geological issues preventing it. In reality, of course, it was only politics impeding it, just as with the Bakerloo extension.

 

[Deerfold]

In hindsight perhaps the Streatham/Peckham extension might've been better
I think the Battersea extension should continue to Clapham Junction

From what I heard from various TfL staff, Clapham Junction tends to be avoided as there is a belief that unless at least two different lines go there it will overwhelm any line that does, making it useless for people further down the line.

 

[fgwrich]

From what I heard from various TfL staff, Clapham Junction tends to be avoided as there is a belief that unless at least two different lines go there it will overwhelm any line that does, making it useless for people further down the line.

That's the main reason at the moment, along with the fact that a large part of the funding of the extension is being paid for by the developers as well - who don't want 'their route' built to serve the residents of Nine Elms and Battersea being swamped by through passengers from Clapham Junction.