Transport for London has opened an eight-week public consultation on proposals for a new London Overground line linking Hendon and Hounslow — the first time Londoners have been asked for their views on the scheme, known as the West London Orbital.
The consultation, which runs from Wednesday 23 September until Wednesday 18 November 2026, invites feedback on plans to create an 18.5km passenger route largely along railway lines across west and north-west London that are currently used only by freight trains.
Under the proposals, up to six trains an hour would run between Hendon in the north and Hounslow in the west, calling at key growth areas including Brent Cross, Neasden, Harlesden, Old Oak Common, Acton and Brentford. Four new stations are proposed at Old Oak Common Lane, Neasden, Harlesden and Lionel Road, alongside upgrades to existing stations that would create ten new interchanges with the Tube, the wider Overground network, the Elizabeth line, National Rail services and the future HS2 hub at Old Oak Common.
TfL says the route would fill a missing link in London’s rail network, improving orbital connections in a part of the capital where public transport journeys often mean travelling into central London and back out again. Subject to funding and approvals, the scheme could support the delivery of around 25,000 new homes and 11,500 jobs, generate up to £1.3 billion in wider economic benefits and remove around 650,000 car journeys a year.
“An important opportunity to shape the future”
David Rowe, TfL’s director of investment planning, said the consultation was “an important opportunity for people to shape the future of this new London Overground route”.
“By making better use of existing rail infrastructure, we can improve connections between communities and support growth across west and north-west London,” he said. “We want to ensure that everyone understands the proposals and has the opportunity to share their views. All feedback will be carefully considered as we continue to develop the scheme with our partners.”
Seb Dance, London’s deputy mayor for transport, said the Mayor was “delighted” that TfL was taking the first step towards adding “a brand-new line to the London Overground network, utilising a line currently only used for freight to transform travel in north and north-west London”.
The project is being developed with the West London Alliance — the partnership of seven west London boroughs — the boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Ealing and Hounslow, the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) and Network Rail.
Funding agreed earlier this year
The consultation follows a funding deal announced in March, under which TfL, four west London boroughs and the OPDC agreed to contribute up to £6.65 million towards the next stage of design, modelling and public engagement work. A decision on whether to seek statutory powers to build the line — through a Transport and Works Act Order — is expected in 2027.
The West London Orbital has been discussed for nearly a decade. The West London Alliance first proposed a passenger service using the Dudding Hill freight line in 2017, and the Mayor’s Transport Strategy in 2018 backed work with the alliance and others to deliver it.
Londoners, businesses and stakeholders can have their say through TfL’s Have Your Say consultation website before the 18 November deadline. Feedback will be used to gauge public response, understand how people could benefit from or be affected by the scheme, and strengthen the proposals as the project develops.
TfL has had a busy period on the transport front, from half-price Santander Cycles monthly passes for World Car Free Day to a major step-free upgrade at South Kensington station.
Reporting based on TfL’s West London Orbital consultation launch and TfL’s March 2026 funding announcement.
