Key Points
- WSP has been appointed by Transport for London (TfL) to provide multidisciplinary technical and programme support for the next stage of a proposed new London Overground route.
- The proposed 18.5-kilometre West London Orbital route would connect Hounslow in the south with Hendon in the north.
- The railway could improve orbital transport links across west and north-west London, serving communities and destinations including Brent Cross, Brentford, Acton and Old Oak Common.
- WSP will work alongside Fereday Pollard and Costain to support TfL’s assessment and development of the proposed railway.
- The next stage will include stakeholder engagement, timetable development, demand forecasting, business case preparation and funding strategy development.
- TfL is conducting an initial eight-week public consultation, running from 23 September to 18 November 2026.
- The proposed route would use existing railway infrastructure, including lines currently used for freight services.
- Four new stations are proposed at Neasden, Harlesden, Old Oak Common Lane and Lionel Road.
- The project could connect 12 stations and provide interchange opportunities with the Elizabeth line, Thameslink, London Underground, National Rail and future HS2 services.
- WSP has supported related development work since 2019, working with the West London Alliance, BusinessLDN and Capital West London.
- Dan Bishop, Managing Director for Rail at WSP UK and Ireland, said the appointment reflected the company’s longstanding involvement and understanding of the proposed scheme.
- Chris Pollard, Managing Director at Fereday Pollard and Partners, highlighted the potential to create accessible, human-centred station environments.
- Alistair Geddes, Rail Sector Director at Costain, said the company would contribute engineering expertise and early consideration of construction requirements.
- The project remains subject to further development, consultation, funding and necessary approvals. TfL has indicated that services could begin by 2035 if the required conditions are met.
WSP Appointed by TfL to Support Development of Proposed 18.5km London Overground Route
WSP has been appointed by Transport for London (TfL) to provide multidisciplinary technical and programme support for the next stage of a proposed 18.5-kilometre London Overground route connecting Hounslow with Hendon. The proposed West London Orbital railway aims to improve transport connections across west and north-west London, linking communities and important destinations including Brent Cross, Brentford, Acton and Old Oak Common. WSP will work with TfL alongside engineering and design partners Fereday Pollard and Costain as the transport authority assesses the project’s feasibility, development requirements and potential delivery arrangements.
Announced on 2 November 2026, the appointment marks another stage in the development of a proposed railway intended to strengthen orbital connectivity across the capital. The work will cover stakeholder engagement, timetable and passenger demand forecasting, business case development and funding strategy preparation. TfL is also conducting an initial public consultation, with responses expected to help shape the future direction of the proposal.
WSP published the appointment announcement on its UK website on 2 November 2026. The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) also reported the appointment on the same date through its Infrastructure Intelligence publication, confirming the route’s proposed length, principal destinations and scope of work.
The appointment brings together three organisations with experience in transport infrastructure, engineering, architecture and programme development. WSP will contribute its technical and programme expertise, while Fereday Pollard and Partners will support the architectural and human-centred design considerations. Costain will bring engineering knowledge, including early assessment of construction requirements and project resilience.
The proposal is significant for west and north-west London because it seeks to improve connections between destinations that are not always directly linked by existing orbital public transport services. However, the railway remains a proposal under development, and the current work is intended to help TfL assess the options rather than confirm that construction will proceed.
What Is the Proposed West London Orbital Railway?
The West London Orbital (WLO) is a proposed London Overground service designed to connect Hounslow in south-west London with Hendon in north-west London.
According to TfL’s project information, the proposed 18.5-kilometre route would make use of existing, underused railway infrastructure, including the Dudding Hill line, which is currently used for freight services.
The proposal aims to introduce passenger services on sections of railway infrastructure that are not currently used for regular passenger journeys.
Rather than directing all journeys towards central London, the orbital service would create a connection between communities and transport destinations across the western and north-western parts of the capital.
The proposed railway would serve 12 stations, including eight existing stations and four new stations.
The existing stations identified in TfL’s proposals are:
- Hendon
- Brent Cross West
- Acton Central
- South Acton
- Brentford
- Syon Lane
- Isleworth
- Hounslow
Four additional stations are proposed at:
- Neasden
- Harlesden
- Old Oak Common Lane
- Lionel Road
These locations are intended to address gaps in the existing public transport network and improve access to residential areas, commercial destinations and regeneration projects.
The proposed route would also connect with other railway services, including Thameslink and South Western Railway, as well as the Jubilee and Bakerloo lines and the Elizabeth line.
At Old Oak Common, passengers could benefit from connections with the planned HS2 station and Great Western Railway services.
TfL has explained that the proposal would make use of existing railway corridors wherever possible, potentially reducing the need to construct an entirely new railway alignment.
How Will the Proposed London Overground Route Improve Transport Connections?
One of the main objectives of the West London Orbital proposal is to improve journeys between areas that currently require passengers to travel through central London or make multiple connections.
The proposed route would provide a more direct orbital connection between Hounslow and Hendon, potentially making travel for employment, education, business and leisure more convenient.
According to Transport for London’s September 2026 consultation announcement, the proposed railway could improve access to major transport hubs, including Old Oak Common, while supporting employment and housing development across west London.
The route could also strengthen connections between several important growth locations.
Brent Cross
The proposed railway would connect with Brent Cross West, providing an additional public transport option for people travelling to and from the wider Brent Cross area.
Brentford
Brentford would benefit from improved connections towards north-west London and other parts of the capital. The proposed Lionel Road station would also provide access to the area around Brentford’s football stadium.
Acton
The route would connect with Acton Central and South Acton, strengthening links with other Overground services and improving opportunities for journeys across west London.
Old Oak Common
Old Oak Common is expected to become an important transport interchange. The proposed Old Oak Common Lane station would provide access to the wider Old Oak Common transport hub, including future HS2 and Elizabeth line services.
The improved connections could also support access to employment locations, educational institutions, housing developments and commercial centres.
TfL’s consultation materials explain that the proposed railway could help reduce pressure on existing transport corridors and provide additional capacity as the population and economy of west London continue to develop.
What Work Will WSP Undertake for Transport for London?
WSP will provide multidisciplinary technical and programme support as TfL continues to assess how the proposed railway could be developed and delivered.
The next stage of work will cover several important areas.
Stakeholder engagement
WSP will support engagement with relevant stakeholders, including local authorities, businesses, transport organisations and communities affected by the proposed railway.
This process is important because the development of a new transport service involves a wide range of considerations, including station accessibility, local travel requirements, construction impacts and connections with existing infrastructure.
Timetable development and demand forecasting
Another important element will involve assessing potential train timetables and forecasting passenger demand.
Demand forecasting helps transport planners understand how many people could use the proposed service, which locations may experience the greatest demand and how the railway could operate alongside existing transport services.
Timetable development will also help assess service frequency, journey connections and operational requirements.
Business case development
WSP will also contribute to the development of the project’s business case.
A business case is an important part of major infrastructure planning because it evaluates the potential benefits, costs, risks and strategic justification of a proposed investment.
For the West London Orbital, this will involve assessing the potential transport, economic, environmental and social benefits of introducing passenger services along the proposed route.
Funding strategy
The appointment also includes support for developing a funding strategy.
Securing the financial resources required for major railway infrastructure is a significant part of moving a proposal towards construction.
TfL has stated that government funding and other funding sources will be required before the West London Orbital can progress to delivery.
The work undertaken by WSP and its partners will therefore help TfL understand the project’s requirements and identify the steps needed to progress the proposal.
What Did WSP’s Dan Bishop Say About the Appointment?
Dan Bishop, Managing Director for Rail at WSP UK and Ireland, welcomed the appointment and highlighted the company’s previous involvement in developing the West London Orbital proposal.
In its announcement published on 2 November 2026, WSP attributed the following statement to Bishop:
“This appointment reflects our deep understanding of the scheme and our longstanding involvement in its development. We’re proud to help turn a long-held ambition into reality and support infrastructure that could benefit communities across west London for decades to come.”
Bishop’s statement highlights WSP’s existing knowledge of the project and its understanding of the transport and development requirements across west London.
The company has been involved in related work since 2019, supporting initiatives with the West London Alliance, BusinessLDN and Capital West London.
This earlier work focused on exploring how improved orbital connectivity could support housing, employment opportunities and sustainable economic growth across the region.
The latest appointment builds on that involvement by bringing WSP into the next stage of technical and programme development.
Its role will require coordination across different areas of infrastructure planning, including transport modelling, stakeholder engagement, programme management and funding considerations.
What Role Will Fereday Pollard and Partners Play in the Project?
Fereday Pollard and Partners (FP&P), an independent London-based architectural and landscape practice, will work alongside WSP and TfL as part of the wider project team.
The practice specialises in transport and infrastructure design and has experience working on railway stations, public transport facilities and other major infrastructure developments.
Chris Pollard, Managing Director at Fereday Pollard and Partners, described the proposed West London Orbital as an important opportunity for communities across the region.
In WSP’s announcement, Pollard said:
“This timely and well-conceived project will be transformational for the communities of west and north west London.”
He also highlighted the importance of the established working relationships between Fereday Pollard, WSP, Costain and TfL.
Pollard explained that these relationships would allow the organisations to draw on their experience of delivering transport environments that are technically functional, highly accessible and welcoming.
He further stated:
“Having worked on several of the participating stations at earlier stages, we look forward to collaborating with all the West London Orbital stakeholders and the communities they serve, to create station environments that feel purposeful and connected to their surroundings.”
Pollard also explained that the design approach would respond to the individual character and requirements of each community while maintaining a consistent identity and functionality across the wider railway system.
This approach is particularly relevant to railway infrastructure because stations serve different communities and may have different accessibility, architectural and operational requirements.
Fereday Pollard’s experience includes working with WSP on the Crossrail South East Spur, completed in 2024, which included the RIBA Award-winning Abbey Wood station.
The practice has also worked on the surface sites of London’s Thames Tideway Tunnel, Cambridge South station, Beaulieu Park station and several complex station upgrades for TfL and Network Rail.
How Will Costain Contribute to the Proposed Railway Development?
Costain will provide engineering expertise and support the early consideration of construction requirements as the West London Orbital proposal progresses.
Alistair Geddes, Rail Sector Director at Costain, said the company was looking forward to working with WSP and TfL on the proposed infrastructure project.
In the announcement, Geddes stated:
“We are a trusted, long-term partner to Transport for London and we’re looking forward to working with WSP to help shape this hugely exciting project that will be transformative for London’s transport network, creating jobs and driving prosperity across the region.”
He also highlighted Costain’s engineering capabilities and its experience of considering constructability at the early stages of complex infrastructure projects.
Geddes said:
“We’ll be bringing our best-in-class engineering capabilities and knowledge of incorporating constructability at the earliest possible stage of complex rail projects to build resilience into the scheme as it progresses.”
Early consideration of constructability can help infrastructure teams identify potential engineering challenges before detailed delivery decisions are made.
For a railway project involving existing freight lines, station development and connections with other transport services, this work can be particularly important.
Costain’s involvement will therefore contribute to assessing how the proposed infrastructure could be delivered while considering technical requirements, construction constraints and long-term resilience.
These responsibilities also demonstrate the importance of Constructions and Civil Engineering expertise in major transport infrastructure projects, particularly where existing railway assets must be adapted for new passenger services.
What Is the Current Public Consultation on the West London Orbital?
Transport for London launched its first public consultation on the West London Orbital proposal on 23 September 2026.
The eight-week consultation is scheduled to close on 18 November 2026.
TfL is inviting residents, businesses, local organisations and other stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposed railway.
The consultation aims to understand how people currently travel around west London, how the proposed service could affect their journeys and whether there are concerns about any aspect of the proposals.
Members of the public can review the proposed route, examine the planned station locations and submit feedback through TfL’s consultation platform.
The consultation is an early opportunity for communities to influence the development of the scheme.
TfL has emphasised that further consultation and engagement would take place if the project progresses to subsequent development stages.
The feedback will help the transport authority assess the potential impacts of the proposals and inform the next stage of station and infrastructure design.
TfL also intends to publish a consultation report and responses to the issues raised. The authority has indicated that it aims to publish the report in early 2027.
When Could the West London Orbital Railway Begin Operating?
The proposed West London Orbital remains at an early stage of development, and its construction and operation depend on several outstanding requirements.
According to TfL’s consultation information, further work will be needed to develop station designs, assess railway infrastructure requirements, test the proposed timetable, evaluate passenger benefits and consider potential impacts on the road network and environment.
The transport authority must also establish a sustainable funding package and secure the necessary legal approvals.
TfL has indicated that, subject to progress on funding, it expects to decide at the end of 2027 whether to prepare a Transport and Works Act Order application.
If successful, this process would provide the necessary powers and consents to construct and operate the proposed railway.
A further public consultation would also take place at that stage to provide more detailed information about the final proposals, including construction and operational impacts.
Subject to securing the required funding, approvals and consents, construction could begin in the early 2030s.
TfL has indicated that the new West London Orbital service could start operating by 2035, provided the necessary conditions are met.
These dates remain indicative rather than confirmed delivery commitments.
How Could the Project Support Housing, Employment and Economic Growth?
The proposed railway is intended to support wider development across west and north-west London by improving connections between residential communities, employment centres and regeneration areas.
Transport infrastructure can influence where businesses invest, where people choose to live and how easily workers access employment opportunities.
By improving orbital connections, the West London Orbital could provide additional travel options for people who currently face longer journeys between destinations in the western and northern parts of the capital.
TfL has identified potential benefits relating to housing delivery, employment access, public transport capacity and wider economic development.
The proposed route could also improve access to town centres, local amenities and educational opportunities.
For businesses, improved connectivity may help expand access to potential employees and customers.
For local communities, additional public transport options could reduce reliance on private vehicles for certain journeys and provide alternative connections to existing railway and Underground services.
The project also aligns with wider planning objectives concerning sustainable development and transport capacity across London.
However, the extent of these benefits will depend on the final design, service frequency, passenger demand, funding arrangements and successful delivery of the infrastructure.
Professionals involved in infrastructure delivery will also need to coordinate complex programmes, contractors, engineering teams and public-sector stakeholders. This makes Project Management an important area of expertise when planning and delivering large-scale transport developments.
What Does WSP’s Appointment Mean for London’s Transport Infrastructure Sector?
WSP’s appointment represents a significant development in the professional and technical work supporting the proposed West London Orbital.
The involvement of WSP, Fereday Pollard and Costain brings together expertise in engineering, architecture, infrastructure planning and programme delivery.
For WSP, the appointment builds on its previous involvement in exploring transport improvements across west London and provides an opportunity to support the next stage of a proposal with potential long-term benefits for the capital.
For TfL, the work will contribute to assessing whether the proposed railway can progress towards a deliverable and financially sustainable scheme.
For local authorities, businesses and residents, the public consultation provides an opportunity to contribute to decisions about a transport project that could influence future connectivity and development across several London communities.
WSP operates internationally as an engineering, science and infrastructure solutions firm. In its company information, it reported more than 12,100 professionals across the UK and Ireland and approximately 83,000 professionals operating in more than 50 countries.
The company’s work spans transportation, infrastructure, buildings, energy, water, environmental services and mining and metals.
Fereday Pollard contributes specialist architectural and landscape design capabilities, while Costain brings engineering and infrastructure delivery experience across transport, water, energy and defence markets.
The collaboration reflects the multidisciplinary nature of modern railway development, where technical design, funding, programme management, construction planning and community engagement must be considered together.
WSP’s appointment does not mean that the proposed West London Orbital has received final construction approval. Instead, it marks the next stage of assessment and planning as TfL continues to examine the project’s potential.