Strategies for Sadiq Khan to construct additional 250,000 dwellings
In the heart of London, the White City underground tube depot, built for the Central line in 2007, stands as a unique testament to the city's infrastructure. However, it's not just trains that could find a home beneath the city's streets. A proposal has emerged to bury the tubes underground and build over 250,000 homes on these sites, offering a potential solution to the capital's growing housing crisis.
The cost of such a project is estimated to be in the region of £8-10bn, but the proceeds from selling the new build homes could net Transport for London (TfL) upwards of £50bn. This additional funding could be used for various much-needed improvements, such as the Bakerloo line upgrade, replacing the graffiti-addled Central line stock, and funding Crossrail 2.
The proposal involves storing trains underground overnight, which could help keep graffiti at bay and reduce noise pollution. This could be a win-win for everyone involved, as more than 1,000 trains zoom in and around London each day.
While fewer than 1,000 homes were built in London in the second quarter of this year, the need for new housing is growing more acute. The homes proposed would have great transport links, making them attractive to both residents and investors.
It's important to note that the proposal does not specify a timeline for the construction of the new homes or the relocation of the train sheds. Sadiq Khan's current strategies for housebuilding are not effective enough to meet the city's growing demand, making this proposal a promising alternative.
There are over a dozen similarly-sized TfL and Network Rail depots across London. While most of the main London Underground depots and National Rail depots are above ground, occupying much more space than underground depots like White City, which are limited in size due to their subterranean location.
For example, TfL's Neasden depot, which stores Metropolitan and Jubilee line trains, is 64 acres in size. In comparison, the underground White City depot's exact size data is not provided in the available sources.
In conclusion, London's underground train depots could play a significant role in addressing the city's housing crisis. By burying the tubes and constructing homes above them, the city could not only create new living spaces but also generate substantial revenue and improve its infrastructure.
[1] Transport for London Depots
[2] Network Rail Depots
- The substantial revenue generated from the sale of homes built above underground transport depots, such as the Transport for London (TfL) and Network Rail depots, could fund various improvements in the transportation industry, like upgrading the Bakerloo line, replacing graffiti-addled Central line stock, and funding Crossrail 2.
- With more than 1,000 trains traveling in and around London daily, the erection of homes above the subterranean train depots, like the White City underground tube depot, would provide excellent transport links, making them appealing not only to residents but also investors in the finance sector.
