https://www.newcivilengineer.com/lat...ns-23-09-2020/



Transport for London (TfL) has said it cannot fund plans to modify the
under-construction Brent Cross West station to enable a connection to
the proposed West London Orbital (WLO) railway.

Platform space has been reserved at the station for the WLO railway – a
London Overground extension which would involve the opening up of a
freight railway for passenger use.

However in a letter to Barnet Council, TfL said that given the “current
financial climate” and while it awaits “longer term certainty” on
funding, it is unable to contribute the estimated £1.4M needed to make
the design changes.

The transport operator added that there are no potential alternative
funding sources that would be “available within the required timescale”.

The Brent Cross West project is part of urban regeneration plans for the
wider Brent Cross area. It involves the construction of a new rail
station that will be linked to the nearby Brent Cross South scheme and
is scheduled for completion by the end of 2022.

Approved by Barnet Council, the proposed design changes to incorporate
the WLO would introduce an additional island platform and connections to
the footbridge.

TfL did express continued support for the WLO, emphasising that
feasibility work is ongoing.

As such, the project is “still identified as a scheme that can help
support the vital shift away from private car use” and the decision
“does not preclude the future integration” of the WLO at the station.

TfL said: “Serving Brent Cross West remains a priority for the WLO
project and the design information you have helpfully provided will be a
useful basis for the future feasibility work on the WLO. It will help
inform the most effective and cost-efficient option for integration when
we reach that stage in the project. We will continue to ensure you are
kept informed of how this work progresses.”


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