Key London Rail Projects Sidelined in Autumn Budget
The future of two major London transport schemes has been thrown into doubt after the government's Autumn Budget failed to commit funding for either project. While the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, gave the green light to a DLR extension in her statement on November 26, there was no mention of financial backing for the crucial Bakerloo Line upgrades and extension or the delivery of the West London Orbital (WLO) route.
"The Biggest Driver of Prosperity" at Risk
Brent Council, which has been vigorously campaigning for both projects, expressed profound disappointment. The council's leader, Cllr Muhammed Butt, described transport infrastructure as "the biggest driver of prosperity" across the capital. He emphasised that for areas like Brent, which contends with some of the highest deprivation levels in the country, reliable transport is not a luxury but "the difference between opportunity and being left behind."
Cllr Butt told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "While it is disappointing not to hear firm commitments yet on the West London Orbital or the Bakerloo Line upgrade and extension, the case for both is overwhelming."
What the Stalled Projects Would Deliver
The Bakerloo Line scheme is a two-part plan. The first phase involves extending the line from its current terminus at Elephant and Castle down to Lewisham, with new stations proposed 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.
A critical component of the project is the upgrade of the line's rolling stock. The current Bakerloo Line trains are 52 years old, making them the oldest trains still in regular passenger service in the entire UK. The upgrade is particularly vital for Brent, as the borough is home to ten of the line's existing stations, making its residents heavily reliant on this ageing infrastructure.
The West London Orbital project proposes to convert a freight-only railway into a new London Overground service, connecting communities in Brent, Barnet, Ealing, and Hounslow. The proposed route would run from Hendon to Hounslow, serving areas including:
- 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 stations. In a demonstration of its commitment, Brent Council earmarked £465,000 in April to keep the project's momentum going.
Cllr Butt highlighted the transformative potential of the WLO, stating it could help deliver around 15,800 new homes and 23,000 jobs. Furthermore, it would connect an additional 450,000 people to the HS2 station at Old Oak Common and potentially unlock an extra £7.3 billion a year for the national economy.
"The evidence is there from the Elizabeth Line," he added, "if you build reliable transport, people will come. This is not just about London either: major rail investment means jobs across Britain... all while also resulting in cleaner air and less congestion on our roads too."
What Happens Next?
Brent Council has affirmed its readiness to collaborate with both the Government and Transport for London (TfL) to advance these schemes. A spokesperson for TfL confirmed that discussions are ongoing, noting: "We have an additional set of projects that would support new affordable housing, jobs and deliver economic growth, such as the West London Orbital and the Bakerloo line extension. The Government, the Mayor and TfL continue to discuss how we can progress these schemes."
Despite the setback for these specific transport projects, Cllr Butt did welcome several other measures outlined in the Budget. These included increases to gambling taxes, the introduction of an overnight accommodation levy, progress on multi-year funding for councils, and moves to fully remove the two-child benefit cap.
