'Tooting needs better transport' - that is the message from commuters as Transport for London looks to route Crossrail 2 through Balham instead of Tooting Broadway. 

Last week, Wandsworth councillor Jonathan Cook raised his concerns that TfL would change the initial proposed route of Crossrail 2 after discovering faults on the line near Tooting Broadway. 

According to engineers, the ground conditions at Tooting would make the work impossible, with early forecasts indicating costs for that section of work would double.

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In order to ensure that the new line relieves pressure on the Northern line, TfL has presented Balham as the next option for Crossrail 2, which is due to begin work in 2020. 

The news has not gone down well with Tooting residents, who were keen to see better connectivity between the town and Clapham Junction, and improved transport to St George's Hospital

Extra land to build the line would be required should it be routed through Balham or Tooting Broadway, with Waitrose in Balham at risk, compared to Sainsbury's and South Thames College should the line go through Tooting Broadway. 

A public consultation with dates and locations along the full length of the line from Surrey to north-east London is expected to be announced in the next week.