Both Lewisham and Greenwich councils have united to back an extension to the Bakerloo line.

Lewisham and Greenwich councils are backing a proposed extension to the underground rail network which would see Lewisham served by the underground.

The proposed extension could see Underground trains carry on from Elephant and Castle to New Cross Gate, stopping at Lewisham and Catford Bridge stations.

Mayor of Lewisham, Sir Steve Bullock, said: "South east London has always been poorly served by the London Underground.

"This consultation to extend the Bakerloo Line has given us an opportunity to make the case on behalf of the people of Lewisham to put this part of London on the tube map."

The consultation proposes a tunnelled section through Southwark, connecting Elephant and Castle and New Cross Gate.

There are also options to terminate the line at Lewisham or extend it as far as Hayes.

Lewisham council cabinet member for policy and performance, Joe Dromey added: "Extending the Bakerloo Line would bring significant benefits for local people - and over 900 have signed our petition in support of this.

"The Mayor of London needs to pull his finger out and make this happen."

Greenwich council cabinet member for regeneration and transport, Danny Thorpe, backed Lewisham's call for the underground extension.

He said: "We are very supportive of any proposal to bring the London Underground further into south east London to the benefit of the entire region.

"We are pleased to back our neighbour Lewisham's case and indeed continue to call on TFL to further examine the case for a number of other public transport links to extend into the Royal Borough."

The cost of extending the Bakerloo line as far as Hayes, is currently estimated between £2 and £3 billion and the consultation will be reviewed by the Mayor of London in the Spring.

A southern extension of the Bakerloo line has been under consideration from the time the line was first opened in 1906.