The leader of Brent Council has issued a stark warning that the borough's poorer residents risk being 'left behind' after the government's recent Budget failed to commit funding to two critical transport projects for North West London.
Budget Disappointment for Key Rail Schemes
While Chancellor Rachel Reeves gave the green light to the DLR extension in the Budget announced on November 26, 2025, there was a conspicuous silence on both the Bakerloo Line upgrade and extension and the delivery of the West London Orbital (WLO) route. This lack of commitment has been met with profound disappointment by local leaders who have been vigorously campaigning for the investment.
Brent Council has long argued that modern transport infrastructure is the single biggest driver of prosperity across the capital. Council Leader, Councillor Muhammed Butt, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that while the case for both projects is overwhelming, the firm financial backing remains absent.
Why These Projects Matter for Brent
The proposed Bakerloo Line scheme is a two-part project. It would first extend the line from its current terminus at Elephant and Castle down to Lewisham, introducing new stations on the Old Kent Road and at Burgess Park. A subsequent phase would then use existing rail lines to extend the service further to Hayes in South East London.
Critically, the plan also includes a vital upgrade to the train carriages. The current Bakerloo line fleet is 53 years old, making it the oldest rolling stock still in regular passenger service in the entire UK. The upgrade is of particular importance to Brent, as the borough is home to ten of the line's existing stations, making its residents among the most reliant on this ageing infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the West London Orbital project aims to transform a freight-only railway into a new part of the London Overground network. This new route would serve communities in Brent, Barnet, Ealing, and Hounslow, running from Hendon in the north to Hounslow in the south. Key stops would include:
- Brent Cross
- Harlesden and Neasden
- Old Oak Common
- Acton and Brentford
The project would involve creating new stations on the Dudding Hill line and adding platforms at other existing stations. In a demonstration of its commitment, Brent Council earmarked £465,000 in April to keep the project's momentum going.
The Stakes: Homes, Jobs, and Economic Growth
Councillor Butt emphasised the transformative potential of these schemes. He stated that the West London Orbital project alone could facilitate the creation of around 15,800 new homes and 23,000 jobs. Furthermore, it would connect an estimated 450,000 more people to the HS2 hub at Old Oak Common and could help unlock an extra £7.3 billion a year for the national economy.
He drew a parallel to the success of the Elizabeth Line, stating, "if you build reliable transport, people will come." He also stressed that the benefits would ripple out beyond London, creating jobs in train building in cities like Derby and Goole, and generating supply-chain opportunities nationwide, all while promoting cleaner air and reducing road congestion.
"Brent has some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country," Cllr Butt said, "so good transport here is not a luxury, it is the difference between opportunity and being left behind."
A spokesperson for Transport for London (TfL) confirmed that projects like the WLO and Bakerloo line extension remain on their agenda, stating they "continue to discuss how we can progress these schemes" with the Government and the Mayor.
Despite the transport setback, Cllr Butt did welcome other Budget measures that Brent Council has long advocated for, including increases to gambling taxes, an overnight accommodation levy, progress on multi-year council funding, and moves to fully remove the two-child benefit cap.
