A public consultation on Crossrail 2 is proposing Balham as a stop in place of Tooting Broadway. 

Tooting Broadway was originally intended as a stop to help relieve pressure on the Northern line, but the discovery of faults in the ground conditions near the station has meant work would be costlier, and take longer, than expected. 

In a consultation document released by Transport for London (Tfl) today, October 27, Balham is proposed as the preferred route for Crossrail 2, without the option of Tooting Broadway. 

Wandsworth Times:

On Monday, Dan Watkins, Conservative parliamentary spokesman for Tooting, said: "It would appear that building the Crossrail 2 station in Tooting is more difficult because of ground conditions, but it is still possible, albeit at extra cost and with more disruption on the surface as compared with building it at Balham. 

"Given the importance of the decision, I thought it was crucial for residents’ views to be heard by Transport for London, so am running a survey at www.BalhamOrTooting.org.uk where locals can have their say.

"It’s early days, but already more than 600 people have responded, showing the strength of feeling on this topic, and with a majority keen to retain the station in Tooting. I would urge all local people to visit the website so that we present a large and representative set of views to TfL."

October 22: Anger over proposals to route Crossrail 2 via Balham not Tooting Broadway

October 14: Crossrail 2 could be routed through Balham instead of Tooting Broadway

March 3: Campaigners victory on shaft at Wandsworth Common

According to consultation documents, shafts for the line would be needed in Weir Road and the Springfield Hospital site, and on the eastern edge of Wandsworth Common, at the end of Honeywell Road.

Work to create a Crossrail 2 station at Balham would include new platforms, entrances and exits and step-free access. 

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson MP, said: “Crossrail 2 will be a vital new transport link that will significantly improve capacity on the rail network into and out of London. It will also provide a major boost for jobs, new homes and economic growth here in the Capital and far beyond.

"Crossrail 2 is a major infrastructure project and so it's vital that we get it right from the start. This consultation is key to helping us to fine tune the proposals and to ensure that everyone with a view on Crossrail 2 can have their say and is listened to.

"We know that there's massive support for Crossrail 2 and there is real excitement and momentum behind our efforts to get it delivered.”

Michele Dix, TfL’s Managing Director of Crossrail 2, said: “Crossrail 2 will provide a UK-wide economic boost supporting hundreds of thousands of new homes and jobs.  It is also vital to meet the demands of London's rapidly growing population.

"This consultation gives people the chance to comment on where we are proposing to put station entrances, work sites and ventilation shafts needed to run Crossrail 2. 

"As development of this vital railway continues, we will be taking on board feedback from the consultation to progress the designs for the project, so that we can open the railway by 2030.”

Drop-in sessions begin on November 2 and run until December 18. The consultation will be open until January 8 and responses can be recorded through crossrail2.co.uk.

Drop-in sessions at Tooting Broadway will take place outside 6 Selkirk Road between 12-8pm on November 25 and 26. 

Balham sessions will take place outside 3 Balham Grove between 12-8pm on November 27 and 11-4pm on November 28.