West London Orbital: TfL asks for views on a new Overground line on freight tracks

Londoners are being asked for their views on the West London Orbital, a proposed London Overground route that would carry passengers on railway lines now used only by freight. Transport for London’s eight-week consultation closes on 18 November.

This is the first time TfL has put the 18.5km scheme out for public comment. The plans allow for up to six trains an hour between Hounslow in the south west and Brent Cross in the north. Along the way the line would serve places including Brentford, Acton, Harlesden and Neasden. TfL says it would also make it easier to reach the Elizabeth line and HS2. Connections with the Underground and National Rail would improve too.

Four new stations and where they would go

Four stations would be built. Passengers would gain ten new places to change onto other rail lines or the Tube, and some stations already on the route would be upgraded to cope with the extra trains.

At Neasden, the new stop would sit on Neasden Lane, roughly 200 metres to the south of the Jubilee line station. In Harlesden, the platforms would be on Acton Lane, directly across the road from the Underground station, so passengers could change to the Bakerloo line or the Lioness line at street level. At Old Oak Common, the station would be built on land running from Old Oak Common Lane across to Victoria Road. It would have three platforms and a new east to west footbridge. Lionel Road would get two platforms. One entrance would be on Lionel Road South, and a second would open onto a square planned as part of the neighbouring Brentford Works development.

An earlier idea to take the line to West Hampstead Thameslink has been reviewed. According to TfL, that branch would carry fewer passengers and add roughly £100 million to the cost when compared with running to Hendon. It stays on the table as a possible later upgrade if demand grows. Only two sections of the route are electrified at present: Acton Wells junction to South Acton, and Old Kew junction to Hounslow. TfL is looking at three options for powering trains elsewhere on the line.

What TfL says the line could deliver

TfL believes the route could take about 650,000 car trips off the capital’s roads each year. Subject to funding and approvals, it says the line could help deliver around 25,000 homes and 11,500 jobs. It puts the wider economic benefit at up to £1.3bn.

Earlier this year TfL and its partners agreed to put up as much as £6.65m to pay for the next round of design and modelling work and for the consultation. A decision on whether to seek the legal powers to build the line is due in 2027.

TfL’s director of investment planning, David Rowe, called the consultation “an important opportunity for people to shape the future” of the route. Seb Dance, the deputy mayor for transport, urged Londoners to take part. Responses can be made at haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/west-london-orbital.