The railways attracted many people to move to the area by providing both employment and swift transport to London. Battersea, in particular, was affected as Nine Elms became covered with sidings, workshops, depots and new housing for railway workers.

As the suburbs developed, demand grew for transport between local towns as well as to London. Horse-drawn trams and buses were introduced and soon rivalled the railways in popularity by providing a cheap, door-to-door service.

Entrance to Clapham Junction Station, c 1906