ORBITAL LINE TO IMPROVE TRANSPORT ACROSS NORTH WEST AND WEST LONDON

Proposals have been announced to have a new rail link across North West and West London giving passengers a speedier link without the need to travel through Central London.

The West London Orbital could be up and running by 2029 according to predictions from Transport for London. The new route would enable passengers to travel from Barnet and Hendon to Hounslow in approximately 37 minutes compared to the current journey time of approximately one and a half hours.

The hope is that the line will encourage economic growth along its path and also give better access to Heathrow Airport. It is estimated that the line will serve 11.9 million passengers every year and could support the creation of up to 15,800 new homes.

The 18.5 km track would run from Hounslow to Hendon/West Hampstead calling at Isleworth, Syon Lane, Brentford, Lionel Road/Kew Bridge, South Acton, Acton Central, Old oak Common, Harlesden and Neasden. From there the line would split with trains on one branch calling at Brent cross and then Hendon and the other at Cricklewood and West Hampstead. Four new stations would be built along the route at Old Oak Common, Lionel Road, Neasden and Harlesden.

Initial estimates expect this to cost between £ 430m and £ 610m but this project will have to be viewed amongst others in difficult financial times. The project leaders are hoping to make detailed designs for the line by 2025 with construction beginning in late 2026.