Plans for a Northern Line extension from Kennington to Battersea in South West London are gaining considerable momentum. Project developer Treasury Holdings UK (on behalf of site owners Real Estate Opportunities) is expected to put in a planning application for the associated 8M sq ft of mixed use development at the Battersea Power Station site in the next month or so. T&TI understands that it will also seek tenders for a RIBA Stage C Reference Design contract for the 3km tube extension at the same time. A source close to the £500M tube project told T&TI that the developer will pay close scrutiny to the individuals offered in bid responses and won’t accept a “B team” if top expertise, particularly in tunnelling engineering, has been assigned elsewhere.
Cross-party political backing was thrown behind the tube project late last month as Wandsworth and Lambeth Borough Councils, the Greater London Authority and Transport for London petitioned the Government to consider the extension for an innovative private funding mechanism. The prospect of a privately funded extension to the tube network, south of the river, is proving attractive amongst authorities, especially as it opens up Battersea and Nine Elms to major development and regeneration, building upon the recent decision by the US Embassy to relocate nearby. If all goes to plan, the extension will be completed in 2015/2016.
