Navin Shah AM asks Boris a 'Question to the Mayor'

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Hounslow-to-Hendon

Question No: 2013/4840

Navin Shah

Do you acknowledge that an interim Hounslow-to-Hendon London Overground service [via Brent Cross, and perhaps continuing to the RAF Museum], without involving Old Oak Common at all, should be studied immediately?

Written response from the Mayor

As you know I am keen to facilitate orbital travel between different parts of outer London.

TfL has previously looked at the possibility of a Hounslow – Hendon service but, without substantial expenditure on major infrastructure works, implementing such a service would necessarily entail reductions to some London Overground and South West Trains services. Given the popularity of those services, I could not support taking any step that would reduce them.

Major works may be justified if the new route serves an interchange with Crossrail and HS2 at Old Oak Common, because of the extra passengers and new journey opportunities this would provide. I have asked TfL to consider again such a service in the context of my 2050 Infrastructure Investment Plan.

In tandem, the London Borough of Hounslow is undertaking a new assessment of the feasibility of introducing a Hounslow – Hendon service, building on TfL’s proposals for an Overground station at Old Oak Common. TfL will look at the outcomes of the Borough’s assessment with interest.