The West London Orbital level crossings plan could see three crossings close in Acton and Isleworth, documents in TfL’s public consultation reveal.
The consultation, published on TfL’s Have Your Say website, says the scheme “may need to close three level crossings”: Churchfield Road next to Acton Central station (W3), Bollo Lane on the Mildmay line in South Acton (W4), and Wood Lane in Isleworth.
The reason is the extra trains the new Overground service would put on the tracks. The West London Orbital would run up to six trains an hour between Hendon and Hounslow, meaning barriers would have to come down far more often than they do now.
At present, barriers at the crossings are already down for around 40 to 50 per cent of the daytime. With the new services added, TfL says they could be lowered for up to 75 per cent of the time, in stretches lasting as long as 11 minutes under current operating rules.
That raises safety concerns, the consultation says, including the risk of “risk-taking by frustrated drivers and pedestrians” when waiting times become too long. Closing level crossings where reasonably practicable is national Network Rail safety policy, and TfL says the current consultation — the first time Londoners have been asked for their views on the scheme — is intended to inform that work.
What could replace the crossings
TfL is exploring footbridges at all three crossings, built high enough to clear the railway and fitted with lifts or ramps for step-free access. At Acton Central, the existing subway could also provide a route across the line. The transport authority is also assessing whether any of the crossings could remain open for local residents only.
“If the crossings need to close, we would ensure pedestrians and cyclists can still cross the railway at the same location or as nearby as possible, and that any closures are mitigated by enhancements to active travel and the street environment,” the consultation states.
“Should changes be required, this would provide an opportunity to reimagine these locations as safer, greener and better-connected places,” it adds.
Two crossings at Bollo Lane
At Bollo Lane, the picture is more complicated. There are two level crossings close together: the “Kew line” to the north, which is currently used only by freight trains but which the West London Orbital would run on; and the “Richmond line” to the south, used by Mildmay line and freight services.
TfL says at least one of the two would likely need to close — and that it would be more practical to close the Richmond-line crossing, which carries the Mildmay line, so that access to Chiswick Business Park and bus routes 440 and 70 can be maintained.
Wood Lane and the H28
At Wood Lane in Isleworth, closing the crossing would affect the H28 bus route, which uses it. TfL says any changes to the route would be put to a separate consultation.
No impact for years to come
There would be no immediate effect on the crossings: construction would not begin until the early 2030s, and TfL says it is consulting now to inform the work.
The level crossing proposals form part of the wider West London Orbital consultation, which began on 24 September 2026 and runs for eight weeks. The scheme would create an 18.5km passenger route largely along lines currently used only by freight trains, with new stations proposed at Old Oak Common Lane, Neasden, Harlesden and Lionel Road. We reported on the launch of the consultation in our earlier piece.
Elsewhere in the capital, Southwark Council has recommitted to the Bakerloo Line Extension as part of its push for 100,000 homes.
Reporting based on the TfL consultation and The Chiswick Calendar, “Plans for West London Orbital rail link would close level crossings in Acton” (24 September 2026).
