Potential benefits
Easier interchange with other services
The WLO would provide interchanges with the following stations and services:
Hendon and Brent Cross West:
- Thameslink services
Neasden:
- Jubilee line
Harlesden:
- Lioness line
- Bakerloo line
Old Oak Common Lane:
- High Speed 2
- Elizabeth line
- Central line
- Heathrow Express
- Great Western Railway
Lionel Road, Brentford, Syon Lane, Isleworth and Hounslow:
- South Western Railway
Reduced journey times
The WLO would provide faster and more direct public transport journeys between key destinations across west and north-west London. For example:
- 39 minute (57%) saving between Brentford and Neasden (29 minutes with WLO, compared to 68 minutes without)
- 17 minute (23%) saving between Brent Cross West and Heathrow Airport (57 minutes with WLO, compared to 74 minutes without)
These faster and more convenient connections would make everyday trips easier for residents, workers and visitors. This includes improved access to jobs, for example nearly half a million extra people would be able to reach the new and existing jobs in the Old Oak Common area within an hour of travel time.
Improved connections between employers, employees and suppliers would encourage greater investment in West London and support economic growth in areas such as film and TV, digital media, logistics and food manufacturing. Greater investment and economic confidence in an area will also encourage developers to deliver more new homes and at an accelerated pace.
Access to key destinations
As well as improving access to key town centres and essential community facilities such as GP surgeries, hospitals, libraries, parks and schools, the WLO would improve access by rail to some of London’s key leisure destinations such as:
- Brent Cross Shopping Centre
- Brentford FC’s Gtech community stadium
- Wembley Stadium
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Allianz stadium, Twickenham
Accessibility
All the proposed new stations would have step-free access and new lifts would be provided on all platforms at Hendon, improving accessibility for people with reduced mobility, and those using pushchairs.
The WLO would also provide more links to more destinations than the current network.
Less crowded trains and improved reliability
By increasing capacity on the network, the WLO would help reduce crowding on rail, tube and bus services, improving conditions for many thousands of people every day.
A number of people would no longer need to travel into Central London and back out to complete their journeys, which would contribute to reduced crowding on other key routes.
It would also provide an additional alternative option during any service disruption, helping passengers avoid unexpected crowding on their journeys.
The WLO would involve a number of upgrades to existing infrastructure which should improve reliability across the whole WLO corridor.
Environmental benefits
The WLO would contribute to an improved environment by providing a good quality alternative public transport option and reducing reliance on private car use. This could help reduce road congestion, carbon emissions and improve local air quality. It could also support better bus journeys and travel times. It would also provide opportunities for improving streetscape environments.
Improved access to local town centres and businesses
Town centres along the route would be more easily accessible, which could result in more footfall and business opportunities, including for smaller and independent businesses and busier high streets. This could also help people, including women and girls feel safer when visiting these areas.
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