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In a recent Freedom of Information response, Transport for London (TfL) revealed an update on the proposed West London Orbital railway. This planned passenger rail line in England will use existing tracks to connect Hounslow in the west with Hendon and West Hampstead in the north. Its aim is to improve links across west and northwest London, support new homes and jobs, and reduce road congestion, mainly by restoring passenger services and adding new stations along the route.
Request ID: FOI-2015-2526
Date published: 08 September 2025
West London Orbital
The West London Orbital scheme is at an early stage of design and as such we have not yet undertaken the assessments that you have requested. These would be undertaken as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment, to support any future Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application to seek consent to construct the scheme, and would identify any appropriate mitigations, if required. A public consultation which would include presentation of the findings of the environmental impact assessment would be undertaken as part of preparation for the TWAO application. Construction would not commence until the early 2030s, subject to funding and securing consent.
Regarding question 2, it is assumed that a West London Orbital service would be operated on a similar basis to the rest of the London Overground network, with a frequency of between four and six trains per hour, in each direction. The Dudding Hill line, the section of railway between Acton Wells Junction and Dudding Hill Junction, currently has a line speed of 30mph and could be upgraded to around 50mph for West London Orbital passenger services. Options for rolling stock are still to be assessed and will consider trains similar to those currently operating on the London Overground network, such as the Class 710, as well as potential for battery / battery-electric hybrid trains. Passenger trains of these types are typically quieter than the longer and heavier diesel-powered freight trains that currently use the line, but they would be passing more frequently.
The railway infrastructure that the West London Orbital would operate on is owned and maintained by Network Rail, who may hold some monitoring data for the existing railway.
The West London Orbital scheme is currently unfunded and any proposals will be subject to future consultation.
It’s a bit disappointing to see they’re proposing battery or battery-electric hybrid trains instead of electrifying the route with a third rail, which could allow for more varied connections, including from Hounslow to Stratford with different rolling stock.
In conclusion, the West London Orbital Railway is a vital project aimed at improving transport connections in west London, supporting housing and job growth, and reducing congestion. While planning and design work are progressing, the project still requires investment, consultation, and strong political backing to move forward. Its successful delivery could bring significant benefits to the region by offering a new sustainable travel option and better linking key areas in west London.
If you support the scheme, you can express this by contacting TfL directly via their website, or by reaching out to an elected official, such as your local London Assembly member or Member of Parliament, using the Write to Them website.
Just to clarify briefly, I did not make the Freedom of Information request, as TfL stated that they publish the response online without disclosing any personal information of the requester. A similar procedure applies with the ‘What Do They Know’ website, where anyone can submit a FOI request to a UK governing body, and the correspondence is available for the general public to view.
I would like to extend an invite for you to follow me on X (formerly Twitter) for transport-related updates. You can find me by searching for @CLondoner92 or by clicking on the direct link to my X page here. I am also present on BlueSky and Mastodon. I look forward to connecting with you on these platforms. Thank you for your support.
