Overview
The proposal in one minute
Bollo Lane crosses two railway lines at level crossings a few metres apart. The new West London Orbital trains would use the northern (Kew) line. TfL says the barriers would then be down so often that at least one crossing would “likely” have to close.
TfL prefers to close the southern (Richmond line) crossing to vehicles, with a new pedestrian and cycle bridge. Through traffic would have to go round, onto Acton Lane, Bollo Bridge Road, Acton High Street, or west to the A406 and Chiswick Roundabout.
A residents’ guide, not an official TfL page. Facts come from TfL’s consultation pages, linked under Documents. This is general information, not legal advice.
What TfL is proposing
Two crossings, one likely to close
Bollo Lane crosses two railway lines a short distance apart. The Kew line to the north carries only freight today and would carry the new WLO trains. The Richmond line to the south carries Mildmay line Overground trains and freight.
Because the crossings are so close, TfL says that once WLO trains run, both sets of barriers would have to come down whenever a train passes on either line, so cars never queue across the other track. Under current railway rules that means at least one crossing would “likely” have to close, and through traffic would move to other roads.
TfL’s preferred option is to close the Richmond line crossing and keep the Kew line crossing open. For people on foot and bike, the “most likely option” is a new pedestrian and cycle bridge, and TfL is also looking at arrangements at nearby locations.
TfL’s stated reasons for choosing the Richmond line crossing
- Access stays open to Chiswick Business Park and other properties.
- Bus routes 70 and 440 “would not need to be changed”.
- The Kew line barriers could stay open to traffic for around 60% of the time, with less queuing on Bollo Lane.
- Less through traffic would support redevelopment plans for the area.
“Closing level crossings where reasonably practicable to separate the public from the railway is a national Network Rail policy for safety reasons.”TfL · Impacts on level crossings
How it could affect you
What closure would mean locally
Drivers and through traffic
Bollo Lane is one of the few north–south links between the A406 side of Acton and the northern parts of Chiswick that avoids Chiswick Roundabout and Chiswick High Road. If the Richmond line crossing closes, those trips go round: east via Acton Lane, Bollo Bridge Road and Acton High Street, or west onto the A406 North Circular and through Chiswick Roundabout. Both detours are longer and use roads that are already congested at peak times.
Walking and cycling
A bridge means climbing over the railway instead of crossing at ground level. Whether it has ramps or only lifts or stairs will decide who can use it comfortably.
Older and disabled people
Lifts break down, and steep ramps and long detours fall hardest on wheelchair users, people with limited mobility and parents with pushchairs.
Residential streets
Bollo Bridge Road is residential and was never meant to be a diversion route. More traffic means more noise, pollution and risk for people who live there and children walking to school.
Parking
Acton Lane and Bollo Bridge Road both have stretches with parking on both sides. Heavier traffic could create pressure to remove spaces to keep traffic moving.
Fishers Lane, again
Acton Lane already took extra traffic after Fishers Lane closed. Losing another crossing point would add to that, and TfL should assess the two closures together.
Emergency and deliveries
Ambulance, fire and delivery routes would get longer. With fewer ways across the railway, any incident or roadworks on Chiswick Roundabout or Acton Lane would cause wider disruption.
During construction
Building a bridge and the line upgrades would bring works traffic and temporary closures, from the early 2030s.
How traffic would get round the railway
Schematic only, not to scale. Exact routes depend on where you start and finish. Check your own journey on a map and describe the detour in your letter.
What TfL hasn’t published yet
- Traffic modelling showing where Bollo Lane traffic would go, and whether Acton Lane, Bollo Bridge Road, Acton High Street and Chiswick Roundabout can take it.
- An assessment of the combined effect of this closure and the earlier Fishers Lane closure.
- A design, location or accessibility details for the proposed foot and cycle bridge.
- Whether a road bridge, underpass or signalling change was assessed as an alternative to closure.
- An equality assessment specific to Bollo Lane and its users.
These gaps are worth raising directly in your response. Asking for them to be published is a reasonable, specific request.
Where things stand
From consultation to decision
Right now there is nothing to “appeal” against, because no decision has been made. What you can do today is respond to the consultation. If TfL goes ahead, it will need legal powers, usually a Transport and Works Act Order, and that is when you can lodge a formal objection with the Secretary of State.
- Now · until 18 Nov 2026
Public consultation
Respond through TfL’s online survey. Every response is read and summarised in a consultation report.
- After consultation
TfL reviews responses and develops the design
TfL publishes a report and its response to the issues raised. Ask for further, Bollo Lane-specific consultation before decisions are fixed.
- Later · date not announced
Application for legal powers
Rail schemes like this usually need a Transport and Works Act Order to stop up roads and build. Anyone can object in writing to the Secretary of State for Transport, normally within 42 days of the application.
- If there are objections
Public inquiry, hearing or written representations
An independent inspector hears the evidence and recommends whether the order should be made. Objectors can give evidence.
- Early 2030s at the earliest
Decision and construction
The Secretary of State decides. TfL says construction would not start until the early 2030s.
What TfL must pay attention to
The tests a closure has to pass
A good response connects your personal experience to the duties TfL and the Secretary of State are bound by. These are the main ones.
A fair consultation
Consultation must happen while proposals are still at a formative stage, give enough information for an intelligent response, allow adequate time, and responses must be conscientiously taken into account.
Use it: point out what is missing (traffic modelling, bridge design, alternatives) and ask for it to be published with a further consultation.
Public Sector Equality Duty
Before deciding, TfL must have due regard to the effect on people with protected characteristics, such as age, disability and pregnancy.
Use it: describe who in your household or street would struggle with a bridge or detour, and ask for a Bollo Lane-specific Equality Impact Assessment.
A suitable alternative route
The Secretary of State cannot authorise stopping up a highway unless satisfied an alternative has been or will be provided, or is not needed. Inspectors look at whether it is suitable and convenient for existing users.
Use it: spell out what a genuinely suitable replacement must be: same spot, step-free ramps, lit, open 24/7, kept open during works.
“Where reasonably practicable”
The national policy is to close crossings where reasonably practicable. That leaves room to argue that the cost to the community outweighs the benefit, or that a better solution exists.
Use it: ask TfL to show it compared closure with a road bridge, underpass, or better signalling.
Inspectors do reject closures
In Network Rail’s Essex level crossing order, the Secretary of State refused to close several crossings because the alternatives were too long, too steep, used steps, or would disadvantage people with mobility impairments.
Use it: concrete details about distance, gradient, steps and safety are what tipped those decisions.
Act now
Compose your appeal letter
Right now your “appeal” is a response to TfL’s consultation. Make it personal: individual letters carry more weight than identical copies. Fill in the form, then copy the letter into TfL’s survey or download it.
What a strong response includes
- Who you areName, address and postcode, so it counts as a local response.
- How you use the crossingHow often, when, on foot, bike, car or bus, and where you’re going.
- The real cost of the changeExtra minutes, extra distance, a route that feels unsafe after dark.
- Anyone who’d be affected moreOlder relatives, a wheelchair, a pushchair, children walking to school.
- The roads you’d be pushed ontoName them: Acton Lane, Bollo Bridge Road, Acton High Street, the A406, Chiswick Roundabout.
- Missing informationAsk for traffic modelling, bridge designs and the alternatives TfL assessed.
- What you wantKeep the crossing, or set firm conditions on any replacement.
- A clear objectionSay you object, and ask for your response to be carried forward to any future order application.
- Your own wordsIndividual responses carry more weight than identical copies. Use the sample as a starting point.
Send it before 18 November 2026
Submit through the TfL Have Your Say survey, pasting your letter into the comment boxes. Then send a copy to your Ealing Council ward councillors, your MP and your London Assembly Member. Keep a copy: you can reuse it if TfL later applies for a Transport and Works Act Order.
Official sources
Read the documents
- West London Orbital consultationMain page and online survey
- Impacts on level crossingsTfL’s Bollo Lane proposal
- Option Assessment ReportPDF · options TfL considered
- Equality Impact AssessmentPDF · Word version on the main page
- Summary Business CasePDF
- WLO line mapPDF · route and stations
- Consultation survey (printable)PDF · Word and easy-read versions on the main page
- Equality Act 2010, s.149Public Sector Equality Duty
- Transport and Works Act 1992, s.5Stopping up of highways
- Essex level crossings decisionPDF · closures refused on access grounds