Barnet Labour is asking residents to respond to a consultation for a new train line linking Hendon and Brent Cross to West London, reports Leïla Davaud
Barnet residents are being asked for their response to plans for a new railway linking parts of the borough to the rest of West London.
An eight-week public consultation is being held until 18th November to hear what the local community thinks about a new West London Orbital (WLO) railway, running from Hendon and Brent Cross West towards Hounslow.
The line would form a new part of the London Overground and is intended to make travelling around the west of London more convenient. It would run around London rather than straight into the centre, forming an arc through west and northwest London.
According to Barnet Labour, the route would create improved connections to other parts of the public transport network. Hendon and Brent Cross West stations would have quick and easy same-station interchanges on to Thameslink services, while the existing stations at Brentford, Syon Lane, Isleworth and Hounslow would have easy same-station interchange with South Western Railway services.
The WLO would make use of existing rail lines that are currently underused, including the Dudding Hill line, which is only used by freight services.
It would serve a mix of new stations and upgrades to current ones. The proposed new stations are Neasden, Harlesden, Old Oak Common Lane and Lionel Road.
According to Transport for London (TfL), parts of west London don’t currently have convenient rail links or attractive alternatives to car use. The WLO would change this by creating new direct services between key town centres and growing places, including Opportunity Areas, which are parts of London identified in the Mayor’s current London Plan as having significant potential for new homes, jobs and infrastructure.
Opportunity Areas that could significantly benefit from the WLO include Old Oak and Park Royal, Brent Cross and Cricklewood, Wembley, Burnt Oak and Colindale, Heathrow, and Great West Corridor.
Anne Clarke, London Assembly member for Barnet and Camden, said: “The West London Orbital will be a gamechanger for Barnet and Camden, along with west London boroughs. At the moment, many journeys across West London mean travelling into central London only to come back out again.
“This proposal could make our everyday journeys into work, school or to see family and friends much more straightforward. However, the plans should not overlook West Hampstead, which is already a major transport hub. Connecting the WLO there would open up better links to a much wider part of London and help connect even more people and businesses.”
A branch to West Hampstead Thameslink station, through Cricklewood, was previously presented as part of the WLO proposal in the Mayor’s Transport Strategy and was considered alongside other options in TfL’s detailed assessment of potential routes. However, TfL has decided not to take forward this branch as part of the proposed route.
Responding to this, Anne Clarke added: “I welcome TfL keeping a West Hampstead link as a future option. However, relying on Thameslink for this connection isn’t good enough. Thameslink services from places like Hendon and Cricklewood are often delayed and cancelled, making journeys less reliable.
“The West London Orbital is a real opportunity. We must seize it. I encourage everyone to raise West Hampstead exclusion in TfL’s new consultation. Let’s make sure these plans work and that we take advantage of this enormous opportunity.”
Barnet Labour’s councillor Alan Schneiderman, cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: “I want to encourage as many residents and businesses as possible to respond to this consultation, which will improve public transport options for travelling to west London, Heathrow and beyond.”
The line is expected to open from 2035.
Have your say by completing the survey at https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.
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