On 26 Jan, 00:40, wrote:
Maybe operationally, but physically it comes to the surface at
Waterloo facing southeast. *The Northern Line idea probably came out
of the fact that it would be relatively straightforward to branch off
from the Kennington loop.

Having seen some details from the promoters at a transport conference last
year I appreciate that is exactly the reason for preferring the Northern
Line, as well as the ability to fit within line capacity by diverting the
West End service there.

--
Colin Rosenstiel

If you look at a map of S london, you'll realise the Northern Line has
to head south east, not south west.

The recent bakerloo extension survey (as well as the original plans)
has it headed East SouthEast, to New Cross and Lewisham. The Victoria
line is headed SE from brixton, and extension plans have it heading to
Herne Hill as a minimum.

That leaves a huge area - around camberwell - utterly without any rail
connection, and certainly without one that's useful for getting into
town.

The only way to plug the gap is for the northern line to go to
camberwell. Which means extending the west end branch that way.

Taking the northern line to battersea really messes that possibility
up, and essentially precludes it ever occurring.