Six South London Boroughs Remain Without Tube Stations in 2026

Six London boroughs will continue to be without a London Underground station in 2026. These areas are Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Lewisham, and Sutton, all of which are located south of the River Thames. Residents in these boroughs rely on National Rail, London Overground, and tram services for their public transport needs.

Boroughs Lacking Underground Access

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In Bexley, located in southeast London, areas such as Bexleyheath and Sidcup depend on Southeastern railway services. While the Elizabeth line serves Abbey Wood, it is not part of the London Underground network. Bromley, London's largest borough by area, also lacks Tube access, with residents using National Rail and London Overground services. Parts of Bromley are served by the London tram network.

Croydon, a significant transport hub in south London, does not have an Underground station despite extensive rail connections and being central to the London tram network. Kingston upon Thames, in southwest London, relies on South Western Railway services, with nearby Richmond being the closest borough with Tube access. Lewisham previously had stations on the East London line, but these transferred to London Overground in 2010, leaving the borough without Underground services.

Sutton is the final borough on the list. Residents primarily use National Rail services. Although the Northern line terminates at Morden in the neighbouring borough of Merton, no Tube stations fall within Sutton's boundaries.

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Historical Reasons for Network Distribution

The uneven distribution of the London Underground network is largely attributed to the historical development of London's railways. Many south London areas already possessed established suburban railway lines when the Underground began its expansion. Consequently, the Tube network developed more extensively across north, west, and central London, while southern boroughs continued to depend on existing conventional rail services. The geography of the River Thames and the costs associated with constructing new tunnels also influenced the network's growth.

Future Prospects for South London Connectivity

Proposals have been put forward to enhance Underground connections in south London. One such plan involves extending the Bakerloo line from Elephant and Castle towards Lewisham, passing through Old Kent Road and New Cross Gate. This extension would reintroduce Underground services to Lewisham. However, this project currently lacks confirmed funding and an opening date.

Other suggestions for improving transport in south London include extending tram lines and upgrading existing rail services. For the foreseeable future, Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Lewisham, and Sutton will remain the only London boroughs without a London Underground station.