West London Orbital: Two Acton Level Crossings Could Close

Transport for London has opened a public consultation on the West London Orbital, a new London Overground line that would stop at Acton Central and South Acton. The proposals also say the level crossing on Churchfield Road and one of the two crossings on Bollo Lane may have to close to traffic.

The consultation runs until 18 November 2026. TfL’s consultation page sets out the route, the stations and the survey.

The line

The West London Orbital would run between Hendon and Hounslow, mostly on existing tracks, some of which carry only freight today. Ealing Council’s announcement says up to six trains an hour would run on the 18.5km route.

It would serve 12 stations, four of them new: Neasden, Harlesden, Old Oak Common Lane and Lionel Road. From the north, trains would reach Acton on the Mildmay line’s tracks, stopping at Acton Central and South Acton. They would then cut through Chiswick towards Brentford and Hounslow.

The new Old Oak Common Lane station would be a short walk from the HS2, Elizabeth line and Great Western station at Old Oak Common, TfL says. The Central line at North Acton would also be close by.

Why the crossings might close

TfL’s level crossings page says the barriers are already down for around 40% to 50% of the day. With the new trains added, they would be down for up to 75% of the time, and for as long as 11 minutes at once.

Under current railway rules, that would mean closing the crossings to road traffic. TfL says it is still looking at technology that could cut the barrier-down time, and at whether a crossing could stay open to residents’ traffic only.

Three crossings on the route are affected:

• Churchfield Road, next to Acton Central. People on foot and bikes could cross by a new bridge, or by the existing station subway opened up as a free public route. Ticket gates inside the station would be rearranged if the subway were used.
• Bollo Lane, South Acton. Bollo Lane has two crossings close together. TfL says it would be more practical to close the southern one, on the Mildmay line to Richmond, and keep the northern freight line crossing open. That keeps access to Chiswick Business Park, and buses 440 and 70 would not need to change. A footbridge is the likeliest option for people on foot and bikes.
• Wood Lane, Isleworth, in Hounslow borough, about four miles south west of Acton.

TfL says any closure would come with a safe crossing for pedestrians and cyclists at or near the same spot. Detailed closure plans would go to a further consultation.

Changes at the two Acton stations

According to TfL’s existing stations page:

• Acton Central: changes inside the station if the subway becomes a public route across the railway.
• South Acton: options to improve step-free access between the platforms. Each platform is already step free, but you cannot get between them without stairs.

When it could happen

Not soon. TfL says it will publish a consultation report in early 2027. At the end of 2027 it will decide, if funding is progressing, whether to apply for a Transport and Works Act Order, which would bring another consultation.

Construction could begin in the early 2030s, and trains could run by 2035. TfL says there would be no impact on the level crossings “in the next few years”. Funding is not yet secured: TfL says it is working with the government and local partners to find it.

What it means for you

• If you drive across Churchfield Road or Bollo Lane: these are the changes to comment on now. Nothing would close before construction in the early 2030s.
• If you use Acton Central or South Acton: you would get a new direct link to Old Oak Common, Brent Cross and Hounslow without going through central London.
• Have your say: the survey takes about ten minutes and closes on 18 November 2026. You can also call TfL’s call-back line on 020 3054 6037.
• Ask in person: TfL’s drop-in events include three in or near Acton.

For the borough’s other rail links, see Ealing train times to London, and for this week’s closures, Ealing roadworks and travel.