London could soon be getting a new Overground train line, and the public is being asked for their views on where it should go. The proposed line would run between Hendon and Hounslow, two west London locations about 12 miles apart. Currently, travelling between the two takes roughly one hour and 20 minutes, involving Tube and rail journeys, buses, and walking.
Transport for London (TfL) wants to repurpose 11.5 miles of track currently used for freight trains into a new Overground line. No passenger trains have used that track in more than a century.
Stations on the proposed line
The proposed stations are: Hendon, Brent Cross West, Neasden, Harlesden, Old Oak Common Lane (for Old Oak Common and North Acton), Acton Central, South Acton, Lionel Road (for Kew Bridge), Brentford, Syon Lane, Isleworth, and Hounslow.
Neasden, Harlesden, Lionel Road, and Old Oak Common Lane would all be brand new stations. The £4.3 billion Old Oak Common Lane station will also be part of HS2, the high-speed rail line between London and Birmingham. Hendon and Brent Cross West would get extra platforms as part of the Orbital.
Earlier plans included a branch to West Hampstead Thameslink, which was dropped in favour of more frequent services. However, TfL officials have not ruled this out, saying it could be possible down the line.
Journey time and name
The line would run four trains an hour between Hounslow and Hendon, rising to six an hour between Old Oak Common Lane and Hendon. The journey would take about 37 minutes, according to a summary business case.
In 2024, the Overground was split into six individual lines to make commuting less of a headache. TfL has not said what the new Overground line would officially be called. For now, officials are calling it the ‘West London Orbital’ as it curves around the capital so commuters do not need to go into central London for a diagonal journey.
Cost and timeline
It is not a done deal, however. TfL still needs to secure funding from the government as well as other approvals. If formally confirmed in 2027, the project could cost up to £700 million. The goal is for it to be up and running by the mid-2030s.
As well as money, whether the line becomes a reality also depends on public opinion. TfL has launched an eight-week consultation, ending November 18, asking locals and businesses to share their thoughts. The public transport authority reckons it could help deliver 25,000 homes, 11,500 jobs, and up to £1.3 billion in wider economic benefits.
David Rowe, TfL’s investment planning director, said: ‘As well as connecting communities and improving access to vital places like schools, hospitals and transport hubs, this innovative rail project means we can drive regeneration and growth not only along the new route but across our great city – unlocking homes, jobs and opportunities.’
