What is the West London Orbital?
A brand new passenger route that would run from West Hampstead and Hendon down to Hounslow, passing through the future HS2 and Elizabeth line hub of Old Oak Common. It would become the seventh branch of the Overground network.
So would this be an entirely new line?
Only notionally. The track already exists. The two northern spurs follow the Thameslink (or Midland Mainline) route before peeling off between Cricklewood and Brent Cross West. The route would then cut a slick diagonal to the south-west along some under-used freight track called the Dudding Hill line. It would then slip onto the Mildmay line around Acton, before finishing its run on the Hounslow Loop. This is very tricky to visualise in the head, so here's a map we've updated and adapted from the one off-of Wikipedia:
But that doesn't look very "Orbital"...
The word "orbital" here implies a line that connects outer suburbs at similar distance from the centre, rather than the more common radial rail routes, which run from suburbs to central London. But, yes, granted... this does not look like an orbit in the common sense of encircling.
Would we get any new stations?
Yes, the project envisages four new stations. Neasden, Harlesden and Old Oak Commons would all need new stops, and a new station might also be constructed at Lionel Road, next to Brentford's football ground.
If all the track is already in place, then this should be a doddle to build, right?
Well, relatively speaking, yes. The project would need no major tunnelling, land purchases or site clearance. A through-route already exists. That said, significant upgrade work would be needed, especially on the Dudding Hill section. This has not seen regular passenger traffic in a century, and has no stations. Plus, it is not electrified and uses old-timey signalling. The four new stations would also come with a hefty combined price tag.
How much would this cost?
The last published estimate, in 2021, put the project at "between £430m and £610m". So, inevitably, we're looking at over a billion.
Is this likely to get built?
It is one of the more likely transport projects to see the light of day. It is relatively easy to build and comes with high connectivity (it links up to the Bakerloo line, Elizabeth line, Jubilee line, Mildmay line, Piccadilly line, plus HS2 and Thameslink). A 2017 study found that the route had a high benefit-to-cost ratio of up to 2.2. So it seems to make business sense, and would also stimulate housebuilding and other regeneration along the route. For all these reasons and more, it is backed by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and the relevant local authorities.
Most recently, Khan confirmed that the project is moving forward, saying that a recent study has found "feasible solutions" to all elements of the project. However, he also warned that the line is "not definite".
Funding is the obvious challenge. TfL's finances remain in the doldrums, so much of the financing would have to come from some kind of partnership with the private sector along with central government money.
“We are going to be lobbying the Government in advance of the spending review," says Khan, speaking of this, a DLR extension and the Bakerloo extension. "The point we are making is that actually these new lines will enable more homes, more jobs and growth.”
Assuming the money can be found soon, when would this open?
Some time in the early-to-mid-2030s.
Oh
Quite.
What can I do while I wait?
The line would be part of the Overground network, so you can amuse yourself by trying to work out what quirky/historic name TfL might choose for the route. A safe option would be the Brent line, seeing as it follows that river from Brent Cross to Brentford.
