Lib Dems call for Crossrail network to be extended into borough

12.00.00am GMT Fri 17th Dec 2004

Proposed Crossrail map - West London section

This week the Hounslow Liberal Democrats gave their support to the London Borough of Hounslow's proposal to include Hounslow in the Crossrail network, mainly using existing track and stations.

This would involve making a link between the Paddington to Reading line and the Willesden Junction to Richmond line at Old Oak Common. This would serve Acton, and would join the south-west rail route near Kew Bridge station to serve Brentford, Syon Lane, Isleworth and Hounslow.

The proposals involve major works at Old Oak Common, and probably an extra track west of Hounslow station, where trains can park before returning. Crucially though it would be a much cheaper connection than the plans to connect Richmond to Crossrail, which involve quite a lot of tunnelling.

This rail link will offer links to Feltham from Hounslow, and from the stations in Acton to Richmond. It will also make it possible for people travelling from Hounslow to change in Acton on the Silverlink trains to East London.

A weak point is that Hounslow station is not very well served by the bus network, but that could be solved by letting some of the buses that now go to Hounslow bus station, end on the Hounslow Station forecourt.

For people from Cranford and Heston it will still be more attractive to join Crossrail either in Hayes and Harlington or in Southall.

However there are no park-and-ride facilities in Hayes and Southall. This often leaves the H98, H32 and 120, which run from Cranford and Heston stations, stuck in traffic during the rush hours.

TfL is studying the situation around Henley's and Waggoner's roundabout. Hounslow should tackle the Bath Road route used by both H98 and H32, and the Lampton Corner double mini-roundabout, which plays havoc with the 120.

Without good bus links neither the Maidenhead to London link nor the proposed Hounslow connection will be a success.