The new Crossrail 2 train link could be diverted through Balham, instead of Tooting Broadway, according to a Wandsworth councillor.

The line, which will link south-east and north-east London, will bring the extra connectivity to Clapham Junction from south London and Surrey, and had been planned to run via Tooting Broadway.

However, Councillor Jonathan Cook has expressed concerns that Transport for London (TfL) might now divert the route via Balham instead.

He said: "The council has campaigned long and hard for Tooting Broadway to be a major part of Crossrail 2.

"Our position has not changed.

"We remain convinced that the economic and social benefits of sticking to the original route are strong enough to outweigh and overcome any engineering challenges.

"We would certainly have misgivings if that position was to change and an alternative route suddenly brought into the equation.

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"We will of course be carefully scrutinising the new information provided by TfL and we will continue to push hard for Tooting to be a prominent part of this new tube link.

"And if TfL is seriously considering diverting the line to Balham then it is vital that people there are given all the information they need to play a full role in the consultation process.

"If Balham is to be a candidate for the new link then local residents and businesses there need to be told exactly what this will entail and what impact the construction and tunnelling work will have on their town centre."

Wandsworth Council has argued that Crossrail 2 would play a "major role" in attracting new investment to Tooting town centre.

TfL engineers say geological concerns at the site earmarked for the new Tooting Broadway station are more complex than first thought and requires a larger construction site.

Work on the new line is due to start in 2020 and will take about 10 years to complete.

Michèle Dix, TfL’s managing director of Crossrail 2, said: “Earlier this year the route for Crossrail 2 was safeguarded including provision for a station at Tooting Broadway. 

"Recent assessments have identified that ground conditions in the Tooting area would make it significantly more difficult to build a station at Tooting Broadway than originally thought.

"As a result of these challenges, we are looking at an alternative station location at Balham. 

"A Crossrail 2 station at Balham would still provide very similar benefit, principally helping relieve crowding on the most congested parts of the Northern line.

"We will therefore be consulting on options for a station at Balham and will be talking with the communities around both stations about our plans.

"However, it is still early days and no final decisions have been taken."