Hounslow Labour has been campaigning for the West London Orbital railway for years.

This week, the project took a step closer.

London Mayor, Sir Sadiq Khan, has said that his 2026/27 budget would include £400,000 to “progress the business case” for the project.

If the scheme gets Government backing, then construction could start as early as next year.

Why the need for a new rail line?

The new line would connect Hounslow, Isleworth, Syon and Brentford with Hendon, Hampstead and HS2 (at the new Old Oak Common).

By connecting the borough to the rest of the overground network, as well as linking up with HS2 and the Elizabeth Line, the scheme could unlock around 23,000 jobs, support around 16,000 new homes, and attract billions in new investment.

The line would run through growth areas like Brentford’s Golden Mile. Hounslow’s Labour Cabinet recently approved their Golden Mile Investment Framework, which aims to attract billions in private investment for the local area.

The scheme could also cut the number of car journeys by 650,000 a year, easing congestion on West London’s roads.

And the best part?

Unlike Crossrail or HS2, the West London Orbital uses an existing railway line.

The Dudding Hill line – an underused freight railway, built in 1858 – could be transformed to support up to six trains an hour.

Commenting on the announcement, Cllr Katherine Dunne, the Labour Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport said:

“Momentum is building. Together with local partners we have been campaigning for this for years. Progressing the business case will help keep up the pressure and demonstrate that the benefits of this scheme are undeniable.

“As a Labour Council, under a Labour Mayor and a Labour Government, we will do everything we can to keep championing our local area, because we know what a difference this project will make.”