£££ boost for Brent as West London Orbital gathers pace

The council warmly welcomes the Mayor of London’s announcement committing £400,000 to the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation. This funding will support the next stage of development of the West London Orbital.

The West London Orbital (WLO) is a proposed new London Overground rail line that will bring under-used freight tracks back into passenger use, creating fast orbital connections between Brent, Barnet, Ealing, Hounslow and Old Oak Common, where HS2 and the Elizabeth line will interchange.

This is a major step forward for a scheme that will transform connectivity across west London and unlock significant economic, social and environmental benefits for Brent, the region and the capital.

In April 2025, Brent Council’s Cabinet formally approved a contribution of up to £615,516 towards the next stage of development of the West London Orbital, demonstrating the council’s strong commitment to seeing this project delivered.

Independent analysis shows the WLO will support 11,500 new jobs, including 3,400 within the four boroughs served. The scheme will also help deliver the homes London desperately needs, enabling over 6,700 new homes across west London, supporting boroughs with their housing targets.

Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said: “The West London Orbital is a mission critical piece of economic infrastructure for our borough and for the whole of west London.

“By connecting Brent directly to Old Oak Common and HS2, this scheme will turbocharge business growth, open-up access to high-value jobs and support Brent residents into new opportunities.

“We have already seen with the Elizabeth line that when you invest in world-class transport, people will use it – demand grows, regeneration follows and prosperity spreads. If you build it, people will come, and the West London Orbital will be no different.”

Councillor Teo Benea, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Property, added: “For communities in Cricklewood, Neasden and Harlesden, where new stations are planned, more than half of these households do not have access to a car. This new train line will give residents fast, affordable and clean public transport, cutting congestion and emissions in communities with the poorest air quality.

“The West London Orbital shows how we can grow our economy and tackle inequalities at the same time - and Brent is proud to back it.”

The next stage of work will allow detailed design of new stations, track upgrades and infrastructure, and strengthen the business case to government and funding partners.

The council welcomes the commitment to a public consultation this summer, which will give residents the opportunity to shape the scheme and its benefits for their communities.

It will also continue to work with the Mayor, OPDC, TfL and partner boroughs to secure the funding needed to move the scheme into delivery, with the ambition of seeing services operational in the 2030s.