The current public consultation over the proposed routes for the Northern Line extension to Nine Elms and Battersea has been branded as 'misleading and flawed'.

Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, Caroline Pidgeon, claims two of the four proposals outlined in the consultation have already been ruled out - and accused Transport for London (TfL) of deliberately misleading the public.

The consultation, which is being handled by TfL and Battersea Power Station developers Treasury Holdings, proposes four routes which the Tube extension could take.

One goes direct from Kennington to the power station, the second follows the same route but goes via south Nine Elms, the third goes via Vauxhall and the fourth runs via north Nine Elms.

However, Ms Pidgeon said: "This latest consultation is fundamentally flawed. Two of the possible routes have already been completely ruled out, so it is just misleading to include them in the latest consultation.

"TfL has already declared that option three won't work because Vauxhall station cannot cope with the extra capacity, and option four because it would not be possible to place the route under the new US embassy building.

"Putting forward totally unrealistic options, which have no chance of seeing the light of day, is misleading the public and discredits the whole consultation process."

A spokeswoman for TfL hit back, saying: "TfL and Treasury holdings are currently consulting on the proposed private sector-led Northern line extension. All four options are technically feasible and each present challenges as well as benefits.

"But we are keen to hear the views of all local residents on an extension that could support a major improvement to their area. The possible extension is part of a package of transport measures that would enable the regeneration of the GLA’s wider Opportunity Area, which covers Vauxhall, Nine Elms and Battersea."

The consultation runs until August 10. Visit northernlineextension.com.