Two mile barrier to connectivity
The Old Kent Road forms the spine of one of London’s most ambitious Opportunity Areas. The two proposed stations for the extension to the Bakerloo Line at either end of the Old Kent Road present a historic opportunity to support growth in the area and extend the Central Activity Zone south-east. The Old Kent Road forms a two mile barrier to east west connections through this area of south east London. It splits the communities on either side creating a placeless and unpleasant environment for people to dwell. The extension of the Bakerloo Line will bring greater connectivity to the area, reducing the number of north-south bus journeys that currently fill the road.
A new place for everyone
The new Bakerloo Line stations provide an opportunity to enhance the area further through new town centres that straddle either side of the road. At Burgess Park the new Underground station, bus station and cycle hub are located on three corners of a new square, close enough for clear wayfinding and interchange but spaced to avoid congestion and to activate the public realm between them. Community infrastructure and employment currently divided by the road become shared and are supported by new functions within and around the square: active frontages, a community hub, workspace and homes.
The stations will be a catalyst for further strategic interventions on the road including redirecting coaches and private vehicles; transferring HGVs to outer London logistic hubs and encouraging more sustainable transport modes. With these the road can become a flagship Healthy Street project for Transport for London with wide pavements, flexible activity zones, cycle-ways and electric buses; improving the biodiversity, air quality and well-being for those living in the area and using the road.
