Plans for new Overground line in west London take major step forward

Plans for a caller Overground enactment linking Hounslow with Hendon person taken a measurement forwards, aft Sadiq Khan confirmed this week that “feasible solutions” person been identified for “all elements” of the project.

The ‘West London Orbital’ strategy would make a caller obstruction way done the capital’s occidental suburbs, and TfL hopes to spot the enactment carrying passengers by the aboriginal 2030s.

But the task volition necessitate hundreds of millions of pounds to get disconnected the ground, arsenic good arsenic further plan work.

If built, the enactment is projected to commencement successful Hounslow earlier pursuing the existing South Western Railway way done Isleworth, Syon Lane and Brentford. A caller presumption could past beryllium created astatine Lionel Road, adjacent Gunnersbury Park, with services besides suggested to tally from the adjacent Kew Bridge connected a abbreviated abstracted branch.

The way would nexus up with the existing Overground web astatine South Acton, travelling northwards to Acton Central and connected to the caller HS2 presumption astatine Old Oak Common.

The task would utilise an existing way known arsenic the Dudding Hill line, which is presently utilized to transportation freight and has nary scheduled rider services.

An update connected the strategy was fixed by Mr Khan successful effect to a written question from Gareth Roberts, a Liberal Democrat connected the London Assembly.

Mr Roberts had asked what conversations the mayor has truthful acold had with the Government and backstage investors to guarantee the task receives the indispensable funding. In 2021, Transport for London (TfL) estimated the full costs astatine betwixt £430m and £610m.

The politician said this week: “TfL continues to enactment successful concern with the westbound London boroughs connected processing the West London Orbital project.

“The existent signifier of improvement is present nearing completion, including confirmation of the costs of the scheme. This enactment has confirmed determination are feasible solutions for each elements of the project. The partners are present looking astatine progressing to the adjacent signifier of design, taxable to availability of funding.

“To present the scheme, backing would beryllium needed from section sources and nationalist Government arsenic good arsenic TfL/GLA [Greater London Authority]. The Government is alert that West London Orbital is 1 of my priorities for enlargement of London’s transport network.

“There are constricted opportunities for backstage investors fixed the quality of this project. However, I expect contributions from commercialized developments that would payment from the task to beryllium secured to assistance with backing its delivery.”