Five Million Journeys Made on Northern Line Extension

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Battersea and Nine Elms stations hailed as success after first year

Battersea Power Station concourse

The Northern Line Extension has seen over five million passenger journeys since it opened a year ago, according to Transport for London’s (TfL’s) latest data.

The extension’s two new Tube stations, at Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station, have been operating since 20 September 2021.

Battersea Power Station is the busier of the two new stations with approximately 80,000 trips per week and almost 15,000 trips routinely recorded on the busiest day of the week (Wednesday). Nine Elms station attracts more than 40,000 trips each week and almost 8,000 trips on the busiest day. In June, TfL doubled the frequency of trains on the extension, from six to 12 trains per hour during peak times, and from five to 10 trains per hour at off-peak times.

The latest modelling indicates that annual passenger journeys on the extension are predicted to continue growing and could reach up to 10 million trips per year in 2024/25. This is due to factors including London’s continued recovery from the pandemic, the ongoing population growth in the Battersea and Nine Elms areas, and the increased number of trains per hour on the extension.

Key destinations for trips made from the new stations at Battersea and Nine Elms include Bank, London Bridge, Leicester Square and Waterloo. Analysis of journey times before and after the opening of the extension found it has led to an average 17-minute reduction in passenger journey times between the area and the City and West End, representing a decrease of almost 50 per cent.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m delighted that one year on from opening, the Northern Line Extension has seen more than five million journeys made. As London continues to recover from the pandemic, it’s vital that we encourage people back on to our public transport in order to make a cleaner, greener and better London for everyone. The two new stations on the Northern Line are at the heart of these efforts – the Northern Line Extension has improved the links between these south London neighbourhoods and the rest of the capital, cut journey times, and played an important role in drawing people back onto the network.”

Andy Lord, TfL’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We opened our new Northern line stations with great pride and excitement a year ago and it has been fantastic to see how quickly they have become part of the fabric of the city as people have returned in increasing numbers to the Tube network following the pandemic. Since June, we’ve doubled the number of trains serving the extension to give our customers a more frequent service to align with growing demand. Transport plays a critical role in opening up jobs, housing and leisure across the city, with these two new Tube stations clearly demonstrating how faster transport links help neighbourhoods develop and thrive.”

The new Tube station at Battersea sits next to the Grade II* listed Power Station, which will open its doors to the public for the first time in history on Friday 14 October as a new retail and leisure destination. It will include more than 100 shops, bars and restaurants, events venues, a unique chimney lift experience and office space – all of which will be easy to get to by Tube. Electric Boulevard, a new pedestrianised high street, will also open on the same day.

Simon Murphy, CEO of Battersea Power Station Development Company, said, “The opening of the Northern Line Extension was a major milestone in the regeneration of Battersea Power Station and we’re fast approaching another monumental moment for the project with the public opening of the Grade II* listed Power Station on Friday 14 October, almost 40 years after the building’s lights were switched off. The new Underground station has transformed the connectivity of Battersea Power Station and the wider area, with footfall to this new riverside neighbourhood we’re creating increasing significantly since last September. It will also play a key role in bringing visitors from across London and further afield to our family-friendly opening celebrations in just three weeks’ time and we look forward to seeing everyone there.”

A £1bn package of infrastructure investment for people walking, cycling and using public transport in the area continues. It includes the redesign of a 2.5km stretch of Nine Elms Lane and Battersea Park Road.

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September 27, 2022