Consultation on the proposed London Underground Northern Line extension to Nine Elms and Battersea begins today.

The extension will support regeneration projects in the Vauxhall Nine Elms Battersea Opportunity Area including Battersea Power Station, New Covent Garden Market and the US Embassy.

It is estimated that the project will improve transport links for 15,000 households and businesses in Wandsworth and Lambeth.

The scheme has support in the draft replacement London Plan and the mayor’s transport strategy.

Consultation is now taking place on detailed route options and station locations.

London mayor Boris Johnson said: “Getting the tube extended to Battersea is an important part of my new transport strategy as it would make a massive contribution to the regeneration of Nine Elms. It is an area that has been neglected for far too long and to rejuvenate it would put the final piece into the jigsaw of central London.”

• CBRE man takes Wandsworth planning role
• New Boris development powers to be unveiled
• BCO conference: Boris could take HCA’s role in London
• Boris drafts a housing design guide
• English Heritage backs Battersea redevelopment