Public outcry as level crossing closures proposed to enable new West London Orbital rail link

The level crossing at Acton Central station

Residents at Churchfield Road, W3, and Bollo Lane, W4, will be significantly affected

The official consultation on a new overground line called the West London Orbital, from Hendon to Hounslow is now live, and is already attracting widespread concern over its impact on communities.

Although the 18.5km rail link will offer unprecedented connectivity from north London to southwest London, its creation would mean closing key level crossings in Acton Central W3 and South Acton W4 as well as Isleworth TW7.

READ MORE: Plans for West London Orbital rail link would close level crossings in Acton

The proposal would bring disused freight line back into passenger use and join up with existing lines to create a new London Overground service. The benefits, say Transport for London, would be a reduction of 650,000 car journeys and easier commutes across London, but the problem is that more trains will make the operation of the three level crossings untenable.

London Assembly member Bassam Mahfouz at Acton Central station

Better transport links for some

A question over the appropriateness of closing crossings was at once raised by Labour’s Bassam Mahfouz, London Assembly member for Ealing and Hillingdon, who has launched a petition that will remain open during the consultation.

“The West London Orbital could be a gamechanger for Ealing. It could make our everyday journeys into work, school or to see family and friends much more straightforward,” he said.

But at the expense of existing routes?

“But better transport links must not come at the expense of existing connections. This could have a significant impact on pedestrians, cyclists and drivers, who may face long detours with no convenient alternative routes. The West London Orbital should enhance connectivity and accessibility, not reduce it. TfL must properly address these concerns.

“I encourage everyone to raise this issue in TfL’s new consultation. Let’s make sure these plans work for us.”

To find out how the closures will impact residents, the Chiswick Calendar spoke to locals living near the crossings.

A cargo bike full of children would need to be accommodated in an alternative crossing. Photograph Paul James

ACTON CENTRAL

The level crossing here separates Churchfield Road (a shopping street with a surprisingly villagey atmosphere) from the community’s main park and a primary school on the edge of its grounds.

When the barriers are down, traffic builds up and there can be more than 50 cars queuing as well as those in a side street. Also at the barrier will be a crowd of pedestrians, parents with kids in cargo bikes and prams, mobility scooters, cyclists, dog-walkers, e-bikes and elderly people with walking aids.

Churchfield Road is often full of traffic and long queues form at the level crossing. Photograph Paul James

Where would all the cars go?

Residents were quick to raise the issue of traffic displacement in an area of Acton that is already notorious for pollution along its main arteries.

“The idea of the line is great,” said Dimitris, “but closing the level crossing will cause a huge increase in congestion elsewhere.”  Others on his WhatsApp group agreed saying that traffic in the Vale and A40 / Horn Lane would, heavily congested already, become much worse.

Another resident, Jeremy, had a more positive take on the impact of a closure, pointing out that “it depends on how much of the [Churchfield Road] traffic is using the road as a cut through because if that is the case a closure of the crossing could significantly reduce traffic to local only”.

A community cut in half

Yet, it is the sense of a community being cut in half that really angers locals.

“It’s like the Berlin wall,” said one resident who did not wish to be named. “We all know how miserable that made people. We will be cut off from our park, a very popular school and other facilities such as football and cricket pitches, two leisure clubs and a pool.”

Sara Nathan, who organizes asylum community activities and goes over the railway to a church on the other side, said:

“The West London Orbital is very bad news for St Dunstan’s Church: much of its congregation is old, frail and has to cross there to get to the church.”

“It would also inhibit the support we’re giving to sanctuary seekers in the area because we regularly drive lunches, clothes, nappies and other bulky items over that crossing to the church.”

The existing subway is difficult to navigate and often flooded

Alternatives for crossing

The promised investigation by TfL of alternatives for crossing hasn’t really calmed the anxieties of many locals who believe that it would be tricky given the infrastructure and layout of the road and railway.

Many Actonians fear that an existing rail station underpass – currently on the other side of the ticket barriers – would be utilised ‘on the cheap’, which would be problematic since it is often flooded, closed over winter and has steep steps.

A bridge has its challenges

A bridge (even with a lift) for lots of users of the level crossing does not seem like a viable solution.

“There are many who just couldn’t manage a bridge,” said Caroline, who has lived in Central Acton for 30 years after moving from Chiswick. “I have a grandchild and the idea of taking a buggy over a bridge is absolutely insane.”

Hundreds of people go across the tracks every day

The demand would be huge

Another resident, Michele, agreed that even “if they put a lift in…won’t it be out of order periodically as is the case at Acton Main Line?” She also pointed out, given how many people wait at the crossing each time the barriers go down “too many people will want to use it”.

“Hundreds of people go across the tracks every day,” added Caroline. “TfL need to come here and see the reality.”

“I’m very worried about access to the park if they close the crossing,” said Martine. “I doubt they will make it truly easily accessible for all…a bridge would have to be extremely high to get over the cables.”

If properly funded, an underpass might be created and examples exist elsewhere, but the Acton Central track is on the same level as the road

Logistics could be overcome

Assuming that structural engineering issues could be overcome, Dave looked elsewhere for solutions, posting examples in Hackney Wick and other locations where state-of-the-art tunnels had been built under railway tracks.

“It would be a logistical headache,” he admitted, “but the benefits of a pedestrianised area in Churchfield Road could be a massive improvement.”

Lots of investment would be needed

“If the rail link is not managed well and enough money put behind this project, it wouldn’t be a success. You can’t just throw up a bridge without thoroughly understanding the impact on people and businesses,” he added.

But even if a well-constructed, effective crossing was built, residents are still sceptical about what this intervention would do to their Churchfield Road shops and cafes.

“There are so many downsides of this for our community. It would have a terrible impact on the growing economy of Churchfield Road,” said Lucy.

One of the level crossings at Bollo Lane. Photograph Neal McDonald

BOLLO LANE

The area around Bollo Lane has an eclectic mix of commercial and residential properties, but what is challenging is the presence of two level crossings within a few metres of each other – the Kew Line to the north and the Richmond Line to the south.

As a number of high-rise housing blocks are promised for the area, the reduction in cars would support redevelopment plans which are prioritising pedestrians.

Lost support for the Chiswick economy

Beatrice, who has lived in Bollo Lane for 35 years, is unhappy about the proposal to close the crossing. She often meets friends in Chiswick High Road and enjoys the cafes, restaurants and shops as do many residents who live on the borders of Chiswick and are key to supporting its economy.

“The road offers us quick access to Sainsbury’s and its car park,” she said. The thought of going on foot instead and carrying shopping over a new pedestrian bridge is not a welcome solution. A detour by car from South Acton will add traffic either to the A406 / Chiswick roundabout or encourage vehicles to weave through narrow residential streets.

The Chiswick Calendar stopped by The Bollo pub to ask customers there how they felt about possible closures and many were surprised to hear of the West London Orbital proposal.

At Bollo Lane, the most likely option is a bridge for pedestrians and cyclists

Fewer trips to visit friends?

We spoke to a musician, who had read about the consultation on The Chiswick Calendar website. He was concerned that visiting friends in Ealing would be problematic, requiring a circuitous detour. For other trips, he said he would consider walking and using a footbridge, but did think that carrying a guitar could be unwieldy.

“At the risk of sound like a nimby, I don’t think this plan has been fully considered,” he said. “There will be a large number of cars making awkward diversions.”

Another customer in the pub, who sometimes pushed a pram over the crossing, wondered about ease of access. She also remarked that traffic already builds up from these two crossings down to the roundabout near Sainsbury’s all too easily.

Feedback is needed

Neither the Churchfield Road nor Bollo Lane closure should, however, be regarded as a final decision. The West London Orbital remains a proposal and TfL says feedback from the current consultation will help determine how it develops the scheme.

The first consultation on the West London Orbital is now live and will run for eight weeks until 18 November 2026. Members of the public are asked to complete TfL’s survey.

In addition, TfL is holding a number of drop-in events during the consultation, including:

Tuesday 13 October, 16.00 to 19.00, Chiswick Works (xandwhy), 100 Bollo Lane, W4 5LX

Saturday 17 October, 11.00 to 14.00, Oaklands Social, Oaklands House, Old Oak Common Lane, NW10 8DU

Saturday 24 October, 11am to 14.00, ActOne Cinema, 119 Acton High Street, W3 6NA.

If residents are unable to make these dates, details of further events will be found on the TfL website.