Transport for London announces initial funding for West London Orbital

Stations on the planned new service

New passenger service to link up the London Boroughs of Hounslow, Ealing, Brent and Barnet

Transport for London has today announced initial funding for the West London Orbital railway which is intended to link up the London Boroughs of Hounslow, Ealing, Brent and Barnet, enabling rail passengers to travel around west London without having to go into the centre of London and out again.

TfL has agreed a funding package of up to £6.65m with the Greater London Authority and the boroughs involved to enable the next phase of works.

The planned new service was recommended in the Mayor’s Transport Strategy to help support growth and sustainable travel in west London. It would bring an existing freight line back into passenger use as a London Overground service, running between Hounslow and Hendon – offering connections with existing Tube, London Overground, rail and National Rail services, as well as the Elizabeth line and future HS2.

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Four new stations are proposed at Neasden, Harlesden, Old Oak Common Lane and Lionel Road, as well as additional platforms at Hendon station and the new Brent Cross West station.

Golden Mile vision for future neighbourhoods and gathering places; graphic – Golden Mile London

In the boroough of Hounslow, the new infrastructure is key to the development of the Golden Mile – a whole new town planned for development over the next 15 years bringing potentially 14,000 new homes and 25,000 new jobs.

READ ALSO: Vision for the development of the Golden Mile launched at Brentford FC

Transport for London’s funding agreement means that work can now begin on the next phase of the project. This includes new research to examine the benefits of the line, developing the service timetable, and progressing the design for the proposed new stations and other infrastructure. If the West Llondon Orbital receives the necessary approvals and future funding, services could start by 2035.

Route of proposed West London Orbital rail link – Mayor of London’s transport strategy

Boosting the economy of west London

Investment in transport provision in the area will boost growth in both London and the UK more broadly, as well as offering a range of other benefits, say TfL.

‘West London is responsible for four per cent of the country’s GDP, with specialisms in key sectors like tech, health, science and media. However, it also includes some of the most deprived areas in the country. Better transport connections are needed to capitalise on the full potential of the area and take pressure off some of London’s busiest roads.

‘As well as connecting local residents to employment and education opportunities, the West London Orbital would support the delivery of an estimated 25,000 new homes, 11,500 jobs and up to £1.3bn national economic benefit.

‘It would offer a practical alternative to car travel, with a total end-to-end journey time of only 38 minutes. This would help ease congestion on the North Circular and Great West Road, reducing air pollution and increasing sustainable travel’.

Public consultation this summer

TfL plans to hold an initial public consultation on the West London Orbital this summer. You can find out more on the West London Orbital webpage. Residents and businesses are encouraged to get in touch with TfL with any questions or issues they would like to discuss.

You can register here to be notified when the consultation begins: West London Orbital consultation

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