Camberwell, Walworth Road and Borough Road stations were closed during WWI. They were already dieing stations after the tram network covered SE London. Why wait up to 15 mins for a train when a tram will be along every minute or so. WWI was just the final excuse closing these and other stations to release manpower for the war effort.

But the trams closed in the early 1950’s leaving Camberwell and Walworth Road without decent public transport. The zillions of buses are helpful but are not the same as a public mass transit system.

We’ve had a large number of campaigns for a new mass transit system. Primarily focused on extending the Bakerloo line to Camberwell and beyond. They even started construction in the early 1950’s. TfL are currently consulting on extending the Bakerloo line. TfL have stated:

“4.1.4.  National Rail alternatives have also been considered. Although not offering a realistic alternative to the BLE [Bakerloo Line Extension], it is recognised that other possible changes to the National Rail network do provide value in a more localised context and would benefit from further consideration. For example, the reopening of Camberwell station on the Thameslink route is being pursued by the London Borough of Southwark, with support from TfL.”

Others are now suggesting we campaign for both a Bakerloo extension to Camberwell AND reopening Camberwell railway station. Somehow they’ve forgotten about Walworth Road railway station which also desperately needs better public transport.

But will campaigning for a Camberwell railway station and Bakerloo Line extension via Camberwell result in just the railway station?

It is a real risk that this will occur. I would suggest the risk isn’t worth taking. WE by far primarily want the Bakerloo line via Camberwell.

A new station added to existing railway lines would only cost around £16m. That’s how much the new Kirkstall Forge station cost with £9.5m coming from the coalition government and it will only take one year for all the works to be completed. So it would make sense for TfL and the government to placate demands in Camberwell with one or even two railway station – Camberwell and Walworth Road.

So beware people suggesting we can go from no mass transit public transport services to two. Effectively this is campaigning to be short changed with just a railway station and no tube line and a 4 trains at best service per hour into Blackfriars railway station.