Barking and Dagenham Council has said it is in talks with Transport for London (TfL) about a plan to build another new London Overground station in Barking.
The authority has revealed it is working with TfL to make a case for a new train station at Castle Green, which is located in Renwick Road and would sit between Barking and Barking Riverside stations.
Plans for a new station are mentioned in a council document on the agenda of the council’s overview and scrutiny committee meeting held on Wednesday (November 9).
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The Gospel Oak to Barking London Overground line was extended to Barking Riverside earlier this year.
The proposal for a new station at Castle Green-Renwick Road is part of the council’s plans to improve transport links with other parts of London – particularly for those moving into new homes in Barking Riverside.
A council document from 2020 also shows a proposal for a new station in Castle Green-Renwick Road.
The ongoing Barking Riverside housing development sits on the site of a former power station and aims to deliver 10,800 new homes for a future population of up to 30,000 people.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan called the Barking Riverside station a “fantastic development” when he attended its official launch in July.
He said it “provides high quality transport links for residents and over 10,000 new homes in Barking Riverside”.
Though plans are still in the very early stages, the council hopes to make a decision on Castle Green/Renwick Road’s future by April 2023.
Alongside a new station, the authority wants to build 4,000 homes complete with schools, jobs and green space by placing part of the A13 inside a tunnel, the most recent plans show.
The council is in talks with the Greater London Authority and the Government and will announce key decisions, along with funding, early next year.
A TfL spokesperson said: “As part of the wider programme of works for the Barking Riverside extension, the site for a potential new London Overground station at Renwick Road was protected as part of the Transport & Works order.
“While we continue to work with Barking and Dagenham Council and central Government on the potential for bringing this forward at some point in the future, any work on developing the station design and delivery would be subject to sufficient funding being available.”
A Barking and Dagenham Council spokesperson said: “It has long been an ambition of the council to have a railway station serving the Thames View location. Such a station could also help regenerate nearby areas to help tackle the local housing shortage.
“Given the current Government’s financial difficulties, I’m not sure how much help they will offer us at present, but it is something we would like to see in the future.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted Cllr Cameron Geddes, cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, and TfL for comment but has not received a response.
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