Transport for London (TfL), four west London boroughs and the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) have agreed to contribute up to £6.65 million to progress the next stage of the proposed West London Orbital rail project.
The scheme would create a new London Overground line linking Hendon and Hounslow, using existing but under-used freight lines to provide new passenger services across west and northwest London.
The route could run up to six trains per hour, connecting key locations including Brent Cross, Neasden, Harlesden, Old Oak Common, Acton, Brentford and Hounslow, while providing ten new interchanges with the London Underground, London Overground, Elizabeth line, National Rail and HS2.
The funding package will support further design work, operational modelling and public consultation ahead of a planned decision in 2027 on whether to seek statutory powers to deliver the railway through a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO).
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said:
“I’m pleased and proud to bring partners together so we can deliver the missing link in public transport for the north and northwest part of the capital. Adding a new line to our fantastic London Overground network will help drive regeneration and economic growth not only along the new route but across our great city. I look forward to seeing the homes, jobs and opportunities unlocked by this innovative rail project as we continue building a better, greener, more prosperous London for everyone.”
Unlocking growth across west London
The proposed railway could support the delivery of more than 25,000 new homes and 11,500 jobs, generating around £300 million in economic benefits during its first ten years of operation.
The new line would also improve access to the future Old Oak Common transport hub, where HS2 and the Elizabeth line will connect, providing faster journeys to destinations including Heathrow Airport.
Transport planners estimate the improved public transport connectivity could remove around 650,000 car journeys per year, supporting London’s wider environmental and sustainability targets.
The £6.65 million development funding will be shared between TfL, the London boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Ealing and Hounslow, and the OPDC, with TfL contributing half of the total through its budgets for 2025/26 to 2027/28.
Alex Williams, TfL’s Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, said:
“The West London Orbital has the potential to transform how people travel across west and northwest London. This funding allows us to take the next major step in developing the scheme, working closely with boroughs, the West London Alliance and Network Rail to build a detailed, evidence-based case for delivery. Improving orbital connections will support new homes, unlock jobs and give more people access to fast, reliable public transport.”
Next steps for the scheme
The next stage of work will include refining plans for stations, signalling, power systems and track connections, alongside detailed environmental assessments and demand modelling.
Public consultation is expected to begin in summer 2026, with proposals including four new stations at Old Oak Common Lane, Neasden, Harlesden and Lionel Road.
Matthew Carpen, Chief Executive Officer of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation, said:
“We’re pleased to be supporting the West London Orbital, a project that will play a vital role in connecting communities and unlocking new opportunities in the region. As part of the wider transformation of Old Oak and Park Royal, this investment advances our vision for long term prosperity and inclusive growth in West London and beyond.”
Local authorities backing the project say the railway could transform connectivity for communities currently underserved by orbital transport links.
Councillor Barry Rawlings, Leader of Barnet Council and Chair of the West London Alliance, said:
“Barnet backs the West London Orbital. By filling a major gap in the public transport network it will give our residents faster, more sustainable access to everything West London has to offer.”
Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, added:
“The Elizabeth line proved the point: build the connections and the growth will follow the line. The West London Orbital is a once-in-a-generation chance to do the same for Brent and our region.”
If approved, the line would become the latest addition to the London Overground network, with naming proposals expected to reflect the communities and history along the route.
