The Anonymous Widower

‘No Constraints’ On Clapham Junction Tube Extension

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.

This is the sub-heading.

There are no physical restrictions to extending the Northern line to Clapham Junction, an investigation has found.

These are the first three introductory paragraphs.

In a new report, Wandsworth council said there were “no engineering or geological constraints” that would prevent an extension.

The council is now carrying out a public consultation to see whether there is strong local support for the extension.

Clapham Junction, one of London’s busiest stations, is home to the Overground and National Rail services.

The Current State According To Wikipedia

This Wikipedia  section, says this about the current state of the extension to Clapham Junction station.

Provision has been made for a future extension of the Northern line to Clapham Junction station, with a reserved course underneath Battersea Park. During the public inquiry into the extension in 2014, the inspector noted that although an extension to Clapham Junction would be desirable, it was unnecessary to meet the needs of the Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea regeneration area. Additionally, it was noted that an extension to Clapham Junction could overwhelm the extension, due to the high demand.

As part of consultations into Crossrail 2 in 2014, the developer of the Battersea Power Station site suggested that Battersea could be the location of a station instead of at King’s Road Chelsea. This would provide a link between the area and Clapham Junction station. Despite the proposal for the future Crossrail 2 project to serve the station, local residents and politicians have continued to request a future extension of the Northern line to Clapham Junction. In March 2023, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan stated that the “case for an extension is not readily apparent, given Clapham Junction’s existing high levels of connectivity”.

This map from OpenRailwayMap shows the railways that lie between Battersea Power Station and Clapham Junction stations going via Battersea Park.

Note.

1. Battersea Power Station station is in the North-East corner of the map.
2. Clapham Junction station is in the South-West corner of the map.
3. The rounded D-shape by the river is the Children’s Zoo in Battersea Park.

Going via Battersea Park is a rather roundabout and long route.

High Speed One and High Speed Two tunnels have and are being bored under existing railways.

This map from OpenRailwayMap shows the railways that lie between Battersea Power Station and Clapham Junction stations.

Note.

1. Battersea Power Station station is in the North-East corner of the map.
2. Clapham Junction station is in the South-West corner of the map.
3. The main line between Waterloo and Clapham Junction stations runs diagonally across the map.
4. Branching North from this line is the line between Victoria and Clapham Junction stations.

Could an Underground sized railway be bored between Battersea Power Station and Clapham Junction stations?

This map from OpenRailwayMap shows the railways around Battersea Power Station station.

Note.

1. Battersea Power Station station is in the North-East corner of the map.
2. The orange line going North-South is the line between Victoria and Clapham Junction stations.

I suspect if they used the Irish Tunnelling Method or hand digging, as was used recently at Bank, twin tunnels could be dug from Battersea Power Station station to deep under the Waterloo and Clapham Junction line.

This map from OpenRailwayMap shows the railways around Clapham Junction station.

Note.

1. Clapham Junction station is in the South-West corner of the map.
2. Two deep underground platforms for the Northern Line would be built to the North-East of Clapham Junction station.
3. Escalators and lifts would transfer passengers to and from the existing platforms.
4. I suspect the Victorian infrastructure is fairly simple and elegant escalators can be threaded through, as they have been at London Bridge station.

I believe that a modern spectacular interchange can be built at Clapham Junction station to connect the National Rail lines with the Northern Line extension at Battersea Power Station station.

November 23, 2024 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Battersea Power Station Station, Clapham Junction Station, Northern Line, Northern Line Extension To Clapham Junction, Tunnels, Victoria Station, Waterloo Station