Transport for London (TfL), four west London boroughs, and the Old Oak & Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) have confirmed a funding package of up to

£6.65 million to advance plans for a transformative rail project connecting Hendon to Hounslow.

The proposed route, often referred to as the West London Orbital, would create a fully accessible London Overground line offering ten new interchanges with London Underground, National Rail, Elizabeth line, and future HS2 services. The project includes four brand-new stations at Old Oak Common Lane, Neasden, Harlesden, and Lionel Road, alongside upgrades to existing stations.

The £6.65 million funding—split equally between TfL and the participating boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Ealing, and Hounslow, plus contributions from the OPDC—will support detailed station designs, infrastructure planning, transport modelling, and public consultation. £400,000 of the funding comes directly from the Mayor’s 2026/27 budget.

Transforming travel across West and Northwest London

The West London Orbital aims to repurpose under-used freight lines to improve connectivity between town centres, employment hubs, and major transport links. The line is expected to run up to six trains per hour, linking key growth areas including Brent Cross, Neasden, Harlesden, Old Oak Common, Acton, Brentford, and Hounslow.

The new transport link is projected to support more than 25,000 new homes and 11,500 new jobs, generating around £300 million in economic benefits within the first decade. By providing better access to major regeneration zones, such as the Great West Road, Neasden, and Brent Cross, it will strengthen west London’s employment and housing networks while reducing car dependency—potentially cutting 650,000 car trips per year.

The route will also improve journeys to the future Old Oak Common superhub, which will connect HS2 and the Elizabeth line, offering faster links to Heathrow for north London commuters.

Public consultation on the project is planned for summer 2026, with a decision on whether to seek statutory powers under a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) expected in late 2027. Funding will support detailed planning for stations, signalling, power systems, and service modelling, alongside environmental assessments and projections of economic impact.

The line’s name, like other London Overground routes named in 2024, will reflect local communities, heritage, and London’s diverse culture.

This funding deal represents a key milestone in delivering a modern, sustainable, and better-connected transport network for west and northwest London.

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.'

Alex Williams, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer at TfL, 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.'

Matthew Carpen, Chief Executive Office 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.'

Councillor Barry Rawlings, Leader of Barnet Council and Chair of 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. We have already taken steps to receive the West London Orbital at Brent Cross West, the gateway to our new neighbourhood Brent Cross Town, ensuring even more people can benefit from the opportunities this major new development will bring and help us further unlock much needed new homes, employment and outstanding community facilities in the borough.'

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council said: '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.

'Four postcodes along this route in Brent are amongst the most deprived in London, yet they sit on the doorstep of HS2 and Old Oak Common. With the right connections, places like Harlesden and Neasden can become a new economic powerhouse for our borough, unlocking thousands of jobs, new homes, and millions of pounds of investment for local people for decades to come.

'Advancing to the next stage of development is an important milestone, and we're pleased to see real progress on a project that will benefit our whole city as we work with partners to make it a reality.'

Councillor Peter Mason, Leader of Ealing Council, said:  'The West London Orbital is a welcome step toward an even better-connected borough. It would mean local people would find it easier to find work and training, by using a sustainable travel choice - helping us fulfil our ambitions of creating good jobs, tackling the climate crisis, and fighting inequality. We look forward to the project's continued development.'

Councillor Shantanu Rajawat, the Leader of Hounslow Council, said: 'The faster journeys, boost to business, and thousands of new homes and jobs which the West London Orbital unlocks will bring huge benefits and opportunities for communities across Hounslow.

'It will directly support the transformation of London's Golden Mile, one of the UK's most important creative and economic corridors, and strengthen links to key local destinations, including Hounslow and Brentford town centres, Brentford Football Club and the wider cultural and employment opportunities along the A4. We're fully behind the next phase of development.' Photo by Chmee2, Wikimedia commons.