The £260m extension of the London Overground Gospel Oak to Barking line down to Barking Riverside, one of London’s largest housing development sites.

Balfour Beatty, Carillion and a VolkerFitzpatrick/Morgan Sindall joint venture will now work up detailed bids for submission next year.

A Transport and Works Act Order for the 4.5km extension was submitted to the Transport secretary in March 2016. If approved construction could begin in late 2017 with train services commencing in 2021.

Much of the 4.5km railway will run on existing lines

The works include modification to existing railway lines from Barking station over a stretch of 3km with a new 1.5km stretch of railway from Renwick Road overbridge to a new terminus station.

Once the new London Overground line is finished it will serve the planned 11,000-home Barking Riverside development.

The extension is fully funded, with the majority of the cost being met by the developers, Barking Riverside Limited, a joint venture between the GLA and London & Quadrant, which are providing £172m of funding. The remainder is being provided by TfL.  

Overground link is key to the successful development of 10,800 homes at Barking Riverside

Jonathan Fox, TfL’s Director of London Rail, said: “The Barking Riverside extension is key to regenerating this part of east London, helping to support up to 10,800 new homes, along with new jobs and improved facilities for the local community.”