Brent invests £465k to keep momentum behind West London Orbital

Brent Council will contribute £465,500 to the next stage of developing the West London Orbital – a transformative rail scheme with the potential to cut travel times and improve access to jobs, homes and opportunities for hundreds of thousands of residents across West London.

On Monday (7 April), the council’s Cabinet approved the funding contribution of £465,500 along with a £150,000 contingency, from Brent’s Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy.

The move underscores the council’s commitment to enhancing public transport infrastructure and fostering sustainable and inclusive growth across the borough.

The scheme is a collaborative effort between the West London Alliance – made up of the boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Ealing, Hounslow, alongside the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation, and Transport for London.

Councillor Teo Benea, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Property, said: “By repurposing existing rail lines, including Dudding Hill which today is only used for freight, we have the opportunity to create a new London Overground service linking areas like Cricklewood to Acton, Brentford and Hounslow.”

“Brent is making this investment because we see a host of benefits. This line will connect underserved communities to new job opportunities, accelerate homebuilding, and help cut congestion on London’s roads. We’ll continue to work closely with our partners to progress this scheme which is ripe for unleashing West London’s economic potential.”

The WLO has been identified as a top priority for transport infrastructure investment by both the Greater London Authority and Transport for London. The project is expected to be a key component of the forthcoming London Growth Plan.