Northern Line train reaches Battersea
A TEST train ran on the Northern Line extension from Kennington to Battersea for the first time on December 19, 2020. It was the first of several to traverse the new route during the festive period. The 3.2km-long extension is expected to open to passengers in the autumn. The trains accessed the extension via a step-plate junction at Kennington before continuing through Nine Elms to the terminus at Battersea Power Station. Trial running is expected to begin in the summer prior to the full opening. In the meantime, fitting out of the two new stations continues, as does work on the signalling software.
It is hoped the new route will act to spur on the regeneration of the Vauxhall, Nine Elms, Battersea Opportunity Area, supporting the creation of up to 25,000 new jobs and delivering more than 20,000 new homes. When opened, Northern Line Charing Cross branch trains will serve the extension.