Trains could be running on a new London Overground route by the mid 2030s, with Mayor Sadiq Khan expected to make delivering the West London Orbital a "major priority", a transport minister has said. The line will connect Hendon in north London with Hounslow in west London, using existing railway freight train tracks.
Plans for the new route
Plans include up to six trains an hour and four proposed new stations at Neasden, Harlesden, Old Oak Common Lane and Lionel Road. It will make it easier to travel across west and north-west London, without passengers having to change at a central station, and provide better connections to the Underground, Elizabeth line and other rail services.
Brentford and Isleworth MP Ruth Cadbury, who led a debate on the project in Westminster Hall on Wednesday, said the scheme would also lead to 25,000 new homes, 11,500 new jobs and bring over three million jobs within a 45 minute commute.
Budget boost and devolution
The project got a major boost in the Budget after the Chancellor announced transport schemes would be unlocked by new powers for City Hall. John Healey said it would be the "most radical act of decentralisation in a generation", as part of his fiscal statement's wider package of economic reforms. He gave London greater control over transport funding, reducing its reliance on government and helping unlock billions of pounds for infrastructure projects across the capital. Lord Khan hailed the announcement as a "devolution revolution".
Transport minister Justin Madders told the debate: "We can speak with some confidence that we will be giving the Mayor of London the powers and the tools to make [the West London Orbital] happen. It is a question for him then to decide whether it does actually happen. I'm sure with the support in this room, he will be putting this as a major priority."
Next steps
He added: "The Prime Minister has made it clear it will not be for central government to decide on where London invests, it will of course be for Londoners themselves to decide. That means the Mayor will have the tools to deliver the transport links for the capital."
The West London Orbital is one of four major schemes set to benefit from the reforms, alongside Tube upgrades at Euston, plans to bring international rail services to Stratford International and the Bakerloo Line extension. Number 10 will work with the GLA, councils and the Mayor "on how fiscal devolution can fund this project", Mr Madders said.
A consultation on the West London Orbital is underway until November 18. The scheme has not yet reached the funding stage, but Mr Madders said the Government will continue to "engage constructively with the Mayor and TfL as their proposals develop". TfL will be responsible for drafting the timetable for the scheme and keeping "it on track for the mid 2030s", he added.
