The lack of commitment in this week's Budget to deliver two key rail projects in London risks leaving poorer residents behind, according to the local council's leader.
Whilst the DLR extension was given the green light by the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, there was no mention of funding being made available for either upgrades and extensions to the Bakerloo Line or delivery of the West London Orbital (WLO) in yesterday's budget (November 26).
Brent Council has been campaigning for both the Government and Transport for London (TfL) to allocate funding for the projects, calling transport infrastructure "the biggest driver of prosperity" across London and the difference between "opportunity and being left behind".
Leader, Cllr Muhammed Butt, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "While it is disappointing not to hear firm commitments yet on the West London Orbital or the Bakerloo Line upgrade and extension, the case for both is overwhelming.
"Brent has some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country, so good transport here is not a luxury, it is the difference between opportunity and being left behind."
The Bakerloo scheme would involve extending the line from its current southern terminus at Elephant and Castle down to Lewisham via New Cross Gate, with new stations proposed on the Old Kent Road and at Burgess Park. A second phase would then use existing rail lines to extend it to Hayes in South East London.
The 'upgrade' element of the plan relates to the train carriages, which at 52 years old are the UK's oldest to still be in regular passenger service. Brent's residents are among the most reliant on the line due to the borough having ten of its current stations.
The West London Orbital would utilise railway that is currently used for freight only to become part of the London Overground network, serving customers in Brent, Barnet, Ealing and Hounslow. In April, the local authority even committed funding to the proposal - earmarking £465,000 to keep the project's momentum going.
The route would run from Hendon in the north to Hounslow in the south, through Brent Cross, Harlesden and Neasden, Old Oak Common, Acton and Brentford - providing new stations on the Dudding Hill line, as well as additional platforms and facilities at other existing stations along the route.
Cllr Butt said the WLO project alone could help deliver around 15,800 new homes and 23,000 jobs, whilst also connecting 450,000 more people into HS2 at Old Oak Common and help unlock an extra £7.3 billion a year for the national economy.
He added: "The evidence is there from the Elizabeth Line, if you build reliable transport, people will come. This is not just about London either: major rail investment means jobs across Britain, from train building in Derby or Goole to supply-chain opportunities nationwide, all while also resulting in cleaner air and less congestion on our roads too.
"Brent Council stands ready to work with the Government and TfL to turn ambition into real change for our borough."
A TfL spokesperson said: "We have an additional set of projects that would support new affordable housing, jobs and deliver economic growth, such as the West London Orbital and the Bakerloo line extension. The Government, the Mayor and TfL continue to discuss how we can progress these schemes."
Regarding some of the measures outlined in the Budget that will impact residents in Brent, Cllr Butt said: "We do welcome many other steps in the Budget, including increases to gambling taxes, the introduction of an overnight accommodation levy, progress towards multi-year funding for councils, and moves to fully remove the two-child benefit cap, all of which Brent Council has long called for."
