West London orbital rail plan moves ahead
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has adopted the proposed West London Orbital Rail scheme as part of his transport strategy for London for the next 25 years. The plan would see a high frequency metro-style service on a little used freight line between Acton and Hendon or West Hampstead (via Cricklewood). The trains would stop at the redeveloped Brent Cross shopping centre and the Old Oak Common interchange with HS2.
Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore welcomed the news, saying:
‘I have been campaigning on this issue for a long time, as orbital transport links in London are extremely poor. I am pleased that Sadiq sees the benefit of the project, which would unlock 20,000 new homes and join up by rail poorly connected areas of the city.’
Anne Clarke, Labour candidate for Childs Hill ward in Barnet said:
‘If this line stops at Cricklewood it would be fantastic. Cricklewood is badly ignored by the Conservative run Barnet Council, who recently approved a new aggregates superhub against the representations of local people and Labour. This is very welcome good news from Sadiq Khan, as Cricklewood residents would be better connected to areas with new jobs and new homes.’
