TfL progresses West London Orbital plans

Transport for London says it is close to completing a feasibility study for its proposed 11-mile West London Orbital project.

Enhancement of the current freight-only route to link Hendon/Brent Cross/Cricklewood/West Hampstead in north-west London to Hounslow in west London has been on the table for around a decade.

Connecting with the Elizabeth line and HS2 at Old Oak Common, as well as other routes, it is seen as an important alternative to the congested parallel A4 and A406 North Circular roads. It would support 15,800 new homes and create jobs.

If the government and private investors show interest, and an estimated £300 million can be raised, TfL wants to press ahead with design work early in 2025 and submit a Transport & Works Act application in about three years. It has a 2032 opening target.

The West London Orbital includes four new stations, alterations to 17 others, and connections to ten new and existing rail, Underground and Overground lines.

It is projected that eight trains an hour in each direction will attract around 12 million passengers a year, and take 37 minutes to travel end to end.