Fresh hope West London Orbital railway line construction could start next year as scheme gets funding boost
The proposed West London Orbital appears to have moved a step closer to reality after the Mayor’s draft budget ringfenced £400,000 to progress the business case for the rail line.
Construction could start on the transit link, which will connect Hounslow and Hendon, as early as next year subject to ministerial approval.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves greenlit the DLR extension to Thamesmead in November’s Budget, but conspicuously left the West London Orbital and Bakerloo Line extension off the list, despite both projects being backed by the Mayor of London.
However, the Mayor’s draft budget, released last night (Thursday 15 January), confirmed that the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC), a Mayoral Development Corporation, will chip in £400,000 “for further development” of the West London Orbital.
Officials say the investment will “significantly progress the design of new stations, track upgrades and other infrastructure, and build evidence around the strong case for the scheme to inform discussions with the Government and other partners on funding”.
If approved by ministers, it could create thousands of jobs and homes, and is expected to deliver approximately £300 million in economic growth in the first 10 years of operation, according to estimates from City Hall.
The Mayor of London said: “I am delighted that we are moving forward with our plans for the West London Orbital that will improve public transport and deliver economic growth.”
Bassam Mahfouz, a Labour Assembly Member representing Ealing and Hillingdon, suggested construction could start as early as next year, with trains starting to run between Hounslow, Harlesden and Hendon by the early 2030s.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “The West London Orbital will be a real gamechanger. For the first time, it will properly connect communities right across West London with a key north-south route.
“By linking into the future HS2 and the Elizabeth Line station at Old Oak Common, it will knit West London together, unlock new opportunities for jobs and housing, and make more journeys quicker and greener.”
Krupesh Hirani, Labour’s spokesperson for the Budget on the London Assembly, added: “This is an exciting step forward towards delivering the West London Orbital. It has the potential to better connect residents and businesses in places like Hendon, Neasden, Harlesden and Hounslow together.
“This funding will unlock the next step of securing investment from the Government for the line, which my colleagues and I will be continuing to lobby for.”
The Department for Transport and the Treasury have been approached for comment.