A major new railway line connecting communities across West London has taken a significant step forward, with funding now secured to develop its business case.
Budget Boost for Orbital Route
The proposed West London Orbital line has been given a crucial boost after the Mayor of London's draft budget ring-fenced £400,000 to progress the project. The funding, confirmed in the budget released on Thursday 15 January, will be contributed by the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC).
This investment is earmarked for further development work, which officials state will "significantly progress the design of new stations, track upgrades and other infrastructure". The goal is to build a compelling evidence base to support the scheme's benefits and inform funding discussions with the Government and other partners.
A Potential Gamechanger for West London
The new rail line is designed to create a vital north-south link, connecting Hounslow in the south with Hendon in the north, via areas like Harlesden and Neasden. It promises to be a transformative piece of transport infrastructure.
By linking with the Elizabeth Line and the forthcoming HS2 station at Old Oak Common, the Orbital would seamlessly knit together parts of West London that are currently poorly connected by rail. Bassam Mahfouz, a Labour London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon, branded it a "real gamechanger".
He told reporters: "For the first time, it will properly connect communities right across West London with a key north-south route... it will unlock new opportunities for jobs and housing, and make more journeys quicker and greener."
Economic Benefits and Next Steps
According to estimates from City Hall, the project could generate thousands of new jobs and homes. It is also projected to deliver approximately £300 million in economic growth within its first decade of operation.
Labour's budget spokesperson on the London Assembly, Krupesh Hirani, welcomed the move, stating this funding "will unlock the next step of securing investment from the Government for the line." He and colleagues pledged to continue lobbying ministers for support.
The project's advancement comes despite its notable omission from Chancellor Rachel Reeves's November Budget, which approved the DLR extension to Thamesmead but left out the West London Orbital and the Bakerloo Line extension. Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed his delight at moving forward with the plans, which aim to "improve public transport and deliver economic growth."
If the business case proves successful and wins ministerial approval, construction could potentially begin as early as 2027, with trains starting to run between Hounslow, Harlesden, and Hendon by the early 2030s.
