Tube Beauty: Northern line extension through Battersea and Nine Elms revealed

The route as mapped through the planning applications

In order to serve the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station, new Tube stations have been proposed and approved in the north of the borough and have been called the “lynchpin” of the building work.

January 18: Battersea Power Station homes to be rented at 70 per cent below market rate

November 25: Boris Johnson starts work on the Northern line extension to Battersea and Nine Elms​

The main work sites are Battersea Power Station, Kennington Green, Kennington Park and Nine Elms, adjacent to Wandsworth Road and Pascal Street.

Battersea Power Station and Nine Elms stations are expected to be completed by 2020.

The first phase of the work, the assembly of the tunnel boring machines, is already under way and main tunnelling is set to begin next year.

Deputy leader of Wandsworth Council Jonathan Cook said: "It is a hugely positive thing for Battersea.

"It is the lynchpin in all the Nine Elms regeneration and it is very exciting.

"What is really notable is that it is moving ahead quickly. I was up there a couple of weeks ago, looking at the big hole, and the guys working on there said they had never worked on something that went from conception to building work so quickly.

"It is enormously good news and it is on schedule, to my understanding."

Most of the work in Wandsworth is taking place in conjunction with other building works, as is the case in the renovation of Battersea Power Station.

London Underground Limited will need to acquire land in Kirtling Street, Clayton Street including Sherwin House in Lambeth, and parts of Stannery Street.

Cllr Cook said: "The disturbance of people side of life is more complicated near to Kennington.

"There is nobody living above where the new line will be, it is not going on a lot of streets.

"It is very positive and exciting."

Although the impact on residents is said to be minimal, for businesses including traders at the New Covent Garden Market and the Battersea Dogs and Cats home, there could be more disturbance.

Helen Evans, from New Covent Garden Market, said: "The extension of the Northern line will have a major impact for our wider vision for the market which is to be London’s food quarter.

"However, this public facing aspect of the new market will not be fully delivered until after 2022.

"For our core business, providing London’s fresh produce, the new Tube station has no impact at all.

"So, for the Nine Elms area and the market’s future the Northern line extension will be fantastic, but for our main business it makes no difference."

A spokeswoman for the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home said: "The Northern line extension will pass directly under Battersea’s main buildings when construction of this part of the Northern line begins in 2017.

"The charity has been in detailed and constructive discussions with Transport for London for some time about how best to minimise any potential disruption to the daily workings of our animal rescue centre.

"Both Battersea and Transport for London have been very conscious of how important it is to achieve this, to minimise any adverse impact on the Home’s many visitors, staff, volunteers and especially our animals. We have now agreed a detailed plan with TfL to ensure the Home continues to operate smoothly and effectively for the duration of the TfL project."