Southall Rail Link - proposal
We are supporting plans to create a new rail line that would connect a new station in Brentford’s ‘Golden Mile’ on the A4 Great West Road, to Southall Station in the London Borough of Ealing.
Where?
Under the proposals, a new station would be built on the ‘Golden Mile’s’ Transport Avenue (TW8) in Brentford, which would allow passenger services to be restored from Southall Station on an existing line currently used to transport freight.
Why?
A rail link to Southall Station could offer a number of benefits to all those that live, work and study in the area, including:
- Providing a strategic interchange to Transport for London’s (TfL) Elizabeth Line. Under the proposals, the borough would have a direct rail link to the Elizabeth Line at Southall Station where onward destinations include Heathrow Airport, Central London, Reading and Shenfield.
- Providing a strategic interchange to the Great Western Mainline. The borough would have a direct rail link to Southall Station which is served by Great Western Railway and provides services to London Paddington, Reading and Swindon and the south west.
- Further business investment and growth in Brentford and Osterley from an increased workforce pool. A study carried out on behalf of Hounslow Council found that up to one million additional people would be within a one-hour catchment of the ‘Golden Mile’ if a Southall rail link were to be built (a 50% increase on the current number of working-age people travelling to the ‘Golden Mile’ using public transport).
When?
The Southall Rail Link is currently at the options assessment stage. Network Rail is due to report on a preferred option to take forward in autumn 2020.
The council is investigating a number of funding streams to support the proposal including public sector borrowing and developer contributions.
