Transport for London has opened the first public consultation on plans for a new London Overground railway linking Hendon with Hounslow, a proposed 18.5-kilometre route that would
introduce passenger services on rail infrastructure currently used mainly by freight trains.
The eight-week consultation, launched on 23 September, will run until 18 November 2026. TfL is asking residents, businesses, local authorities and other stakeholders to comment on the proposals before the scheme moves into its next stage of development.
The proposed route is intended to address a longstanding gap in London's rail network by creating a new east-west connection across parts of west and northwest London. It would link areas including Brent Cross, Neasden, Harlesden, Old Oak Common, Acton, Brentford and Hounslow, while providing interchange with London Underground, London Overground, National Rail, the Elizabeth line and the planned HS2 hub at Old Oak Common.
Under the current proposals, services could operate at up to six trains an hour. Much of the route would make use of existing railway infrastructure, including freight-only sections, although upgrades and modifications would be required before passenger services could begin.
TfL Director of Investment Planning David Rowe said the consultation would allow communities to influence how the project develops.
He said making greater use of existing railway infrastructure could strengthen connections between communities while supporting development in west and northwest London. TfL also said it wants to understand potential impacts on residents and businesses, address concerns and identify ways to improve the proposals.
The project is closely linked to plans for major development along the proposed route. TfL and its partners estimate that, subject to funding and the necessary approvals, the railway could help support approximately 25,000 new homes and 11,500 jobs.
The authorities involved also estimate that the wider economic benefits of the scheme could reach £1.3 billion. The new rail connection is expected to encourage more journeys by public transport, with projections suggesting it could replace around 650,000 car journeys each year.
Deputy Mayor for Transport Seb Dance described the consultation as an important early stage in developing a new addition to the London Overground network. He said the proposed line could improve access to schools, hospitals, employment centres and transport hubs while supporting regeneration around the areas it would serve.
The proposed connection would also have a significant role in the development of Old Oak and Park Royal. The area is being transformed through plans for new housing, employment, parks and community facilities, with Old Oak Common expected to become a major transport interchange.
Matthew Carpen, chief executive of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation, said the proposed railway could make it easier for communities across west London to access new employment and development opportunities around Old Oak.
The West London Alliance, which represents seven local authorities, has also backed the consultation. Its Director Erin Walsh said the proposed connection could help strengthen links between communities and support economic development across the sub-region.
The project remains subject to funding, detailed design work and statutory approvals. Earlier this year, TfL and its partners agreed funding of up to £6.65 million for the next phase, covering further design, modelling, assessment and consultation.
TfL is developing the proposals with the West London Alliance, the boroughs of Hounslow, Ealing, Brent and Barnet, the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation and Network Rail.
A decision is expected in 2027 on whether to proceed towards seeking the legal powers required to construct the railway.
The consultation is therefore an early opportunity for residents and other stakeholders to influence a project that could reshape transport links across a large part of west and northwest London. Feedback submitted during the current consultation will be considered as TfL and its partners refine the scheme and assess its feasibility.
The consultation is open until 18 November 2026. Full information and details of how to respond are available through TfL's consultation portal. Photo by Phil Richards, Wikimedia commons.
