Lewisham Labour politicians have accused Bromley Council of being "narrow-minded nimbys" over opposition to a Bakerloo Line extension.

The astonishing attack comes after News Shopper published Tory-run Bromley's response to a Transport for London (TfL) consultation over plans for a Bakerloo extension through Catford to Hayes.

Because this would see the loss of direct services to London Bridge, Bromley says the Hayes plan is "unacceptable" and says it could only support an extension via New Beckenham to Bromley South, preferring DLR and Tramlink links in the borough.

Figures from the conultation showed 73 per cent of Bromley respondents backed the idea of an extension, wiht only 10 per cent opposed.

Lewisham's cabinet member for policy Councillor Joe Dromey said: "Bromley Council's continuing opposition to the Bakerloo extension is incomprehensible. 

"They're out of touch with their own residents who overwhelmingly back the scheme by more than 7 to 1. The narrow-minded nimbys running Bromley Council are getting in the way, preventing a project that would bring huge benefits to south east London."

And MP for Lewisham West and Penge Jim Dowd said: "Whilst I understand that the proposals would mean a reduction in direct services to London Bridge, Charing Cross and Cannon Street, Bromley Council really should appreciate the overwhelming benefits the extension would bring to far more people and the significant increase in capacity it would deliver. 

"The benefits hugely outweigh the disadvantages."

News Shopper:

However, Bromley's deputy leader branded Coun Dromey's comments "pathetic" and accused Lewisham Labour of pre-election games.

Councillor Colin Smith said: "It is regrettable that Coun Dromey finds it necessary to descend to pathetic name calling. That clearly says more about him and his party’s inability to hold consistent and rational debate, rather than being anything I need to comment on further. 

"Setting aside that Lewisham are being disingenuous at best to allude that Bromley is blindly opposed to the project (as any balanced viewer reading our response can see for themselves) he may care to ponder why Steve Reed MP  and the former Leader of Bromley Council’s Labour Group  both agree with me that the Tramlink extension to Crystal Palace is a far more strategically important priority for this part of the borough.

"Perhaps that’s all changed now? Perhaps they want both? Perhaps money grows on trees? Or perhaps, just perhaps, there is an election in the offing."