Is There Progress On The West London Orbital Railway?
This short news item is being shown on Railnews under a sub-heading of Overground Plan.
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan is reported to have predicted that a new London Overground route in west London could be open by the early 2030s. The link had been proposed by the Mayor in his 2018 Transport Strategy. It would run from Hounslow to Acton Central and the new HS2 station at Old Oak Common. From there it would continue to Acton Wells Junction and then along the Dudding Hill line, which is presently used only for freight, via the existing stations on the Euston-Watford Overground route at Harlesden and the Jubilee Line station at Neasden. Trains would continue from Neasden along the Midland Main Line in both directions to West Hampstead Thameslink and Hendon. It is understood that engineering consultants are being chosen to develop a detailed design.
So is there progress at last on what I feel is a much-needed and affordable addition to London’s railway network?
The West London Orbital Railway
In TfL Advances Plans For DLR And Overground Extensions, I said the following about the West London Orbital Railway.
I have written extensively about this railway and you can see my posts here.
This map from the Mayor’s Transport Strategy shows the route.
I believe this railway could do the following.
- Level-up much of North-West London.
- Provide better access to Heathrow.
- Link West London to High Speed Two and the Elizabeth Line.
It would also provide better links to Brentford’s new stadium.
The New Civil Engineer says this about funding.
TfL now confirms that the West London Alliance has commissioned feasibility work for the scheme. Meanwhile, TfL is considering options for a Borough Community Infrastructure Levy to help pay for it and has been investigating development opportunities on the route that could unlock funds via Section 106 planning obligations and Carbon Offset funding.
Conclusion
It does appear there are ways and means to fund these schemes, without expecting the rest of the UK to fund London’s transport network.
The Anonymous Widower 
This would be a useful and achievable addition to London’s passenger network. Let’s hope the Powers That Be find some money and get on with it instead of endlessly discussing every nut and bolt and kicking it into the next century, which seems to be the fate of most infrastructure schemes these days. The only winners from delay are consultants and lawyers.
A new station at Merrow, on the Guildford New Line, was being actively discussed 50-60 years ago. Surrey CC (which endlessly whines about road congestion) is still finding excuses not to assist with funding. People who bought or rented newly built homes on the estate that it was supposed to serve are now mostly dead!
Comment by Stephen Spark | April 14, 2023 |
In the years I have been writing this blog, the UK has opened several new railways; Barking Riverside Extension, Border Railway, Elizabeth Line, London Overground, Okehampton Line and Thameslink. Are any of these lines doing worse than their forecast traffic?
Comment by AnonW | April 14, 2023 |
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