WIREDGOV

The proposed High Speed rail link between London and northern England is set to make Old Oak Common Britain's best connected railway station.

Vast tracts of semi-derelict industrial land in one of the Capital's poorest areas could be transformed with the creation of up to 90,000 jobs and 19,000 new homes, thanks to High Speed 2 (HS2).

The Mayor of London, Transport for London (TfL) and three local councils are consulting on plans to regenerate Old Oak in West London, which the Government has earmarked as the main interchange between HS2 and Crossrail. The new HS2 station will also provide the opportunity for a new London Overground station, creating links to jobs across the Capital. A new generation of trains running at speeds of up to 250mph will stop at the new hub station, just north of Wormwood Scrubs, from 2026.

Given the regeneration potential HS2 provides, a 30-year vision to transform the Old Oak area has been written. It outlines how thousands of new jobs and homes, in addition to schools, open spaces, shops and leisure facilities, could improve the area.

Michèle Dix, TfL's Managing Director of Planning, added: 'The new HS2 station creates a major opportunity to improve the connectivity of West London. We are lobbying the Department for Transport to include proposals for a new Overground station at Old Oak Common and a future Crossrail link to the West Coast Main Line into the HS2 plan. This would significantly increase rail accessibility across London.

'This would be complemented by proposals for a new bus interchange at the HS2 and Crossrail station which would help in relieving traffic congestion and improving local connections. In addition, we are working closely with HS2 to provide new walking and cycling facilities.'

• A public consultation on the plans will run until 6 September. Visit http://www.london.gov.uk/oldoak to to find out more about the 30-year vision for Old Oak Common and leave your comments