Call for Traffic Study Ahead of Level Crossing Closures
Lib Dems say transparency needed on West London Orbital's impact
Local Lib Dems outside the consultation event at the ActOne cinema
October 31, 2026
Local councillors are saying that detailed traffic studies need to be carried out before any closure of level crossings to enable the West London Orbital Scheme.
Ealing Liberal Democrat councillors attended a Transport for London (TfL) engagement session on Saturday, 24 October at the ActOne Cinema in Acton to voice growing community concerns regarding the proposed rail line specifically the potential closure of local rail crossings on Bollo Lane and Churchfield Road.
Despite broad support for improved orbital public transport, the project has raised significant alarm among residents due to proposals that could see key level crossings permanently closed to vehicle traffic.
Councillor Gary Busuttil was joined by Liberal Democrat colleagues, including Councillors Gary Malcolm, Athena Zissimos, Mark Sanders, and Connie Hersch, alongside London Assembly Member Hina Bokhari AM OBE. Together, they presented initial resident feedback collected through an ongoing Lib Dem paper and online survey focusing on rail crossing closures.
Councillor Gary Busuttil, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson, stressed the urgent need for comprehensive modelling before any decisions are finalised.
He said, "The Ealing Liberal Democrats believe that the first thing that needs to be carried out is a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) in the surrounding areas close to the line that may be affected. Though TfL are engaging with residents and getting their views, they need to be more open and honest with residents on how the WLO will affect them, and a TIA would partly address this issue. It is important for a public body to publicly engage and to listen and act upon the concerns of residents."
London Assembly Member Hina Bokhari AM OBE echoed the call for transparency, emphasizing that infrastructure expansion must actively safeguard local community needs:
"The West London Orbital will be a welcome addition to the local transport system. But it’s vital that resident concerns are listened to during the consultation process and that TfL conduct a clear impact assessment to fully inform future decisions."
The West London Orbital is a proposed major addition to the London Overground network designed to connect outer north-west and west London. By utilising underused existing railway infrastructure, such as the Dudding Hill freight line, the scheme aims to link Hendon and Brent Cross directly to Hounslow via Old Oak Common, Acton, and Chiswick without requiring passengers to travel through central London to interchange.
Under railway safety regulations, the increased frequency of passenger trains on the line would force crossing barriers to remain down for substantially longer periods. To maintain safety and line reliability, TfL's public consultation outlines potential road closures for up to three key level crossings along the route: Churchfield Road at Acton Central, Bollo Lane in South Acton, and Wood Lane in Isleworth.
At Churchfield Road, a busy retail and residential corridor, closing the tracks to motor vehicles would require alternative pedestrian and cycling solutions. TfL is evaluating two main options: constructing a new accessible footbridge equipped with lifts or ramps, or adapting the existing Acton Central station subway into a free public passage across the tracks by reconfiguring ticket gates.
At Bollo Lane, which features two crossings in close proximity, TfL is considering closing the southern Richmond line crossing while keeping the northern Kew line crossing open. This arrangement aims to reduce queuing traffic while maintaining access to Chiswick Business Park and local bus routes. TfL is also assessing a dedicated footbridge to replace the closed road point and streetscape enhancements to try to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
TfL's initial public consultation runs through 18 November. TfL plans to undertake further detailed traffic studies and engagement with local boroughs before consulting on finalised level crossing designs in a subsequent public consultation.
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