Community leaders and rail campaigners in Brent have welcomed approval of the High Speed Two rail link.

The government announced on Tuesday that the HS2 line from London to Birmingham and eventually on to Manchester and Leeds will go ahead.

Whilepeople in the Chilterns and other areas of outstanding natural beauty are reeling at the prospect of huge disruption to their communities, local leaders and rail users say it will improve transport links for the borough.

They see anadvantage in the high-speed trains stopping at a new rail interchange to be built at the Old Oak Common rail depot, near Willesden Junction.

JohnCox, from North West London Light Railway campaign group, said the interchange station would provide an ideal opportunity to create more Brent public transport links via a light railway.

“TheNorth and West London Light Railway is our proposal for a passenger service on the Dudding Hill freight line across Brent,” he said. “This runs from North Acton Central line, via Harlesden Bakerloo line, then Neasden Jubilee line and through Gladstone Park to Brent Cross and Cricklewood.

“We can divert our light railway to Old Oak Common, which would benefit thousands of people across both boroughs.”

MrCox said there was a separate plan by Transport for London that would mean ‘semi-fast’ trains from Harrow and Wealdstone and from Wembley Central would no longer run into Euston station.

Headded: “Instead, they would call at Old Oak Common, then use the Crossrail line across central London to Canary Wharf and Stratford.

“Thiswould mean many more fast trains stopping at Wembley Central, and be a big boost to that area. This could happen independently of HS2, but it would be less likely to happen alone.”

ABrent Council spokesman said: “While we have reservations about certain more detailed aspects of the proposal, we recognise that HS2 has the potential to bring benefits to Brent in the form of improved rail services by adding capacity to the network.

“Weare keen that the plan for an interchange with Crossrail at Old Oak Common is accompanied by an improved connection to Harlesden that will kick start the regeneration of the Willesden Junction area, thereby leading to wider benefits.”

Stonebridgecouncillor Zaffar Van Kalwala said: “The new HS2 link and the proposed light railway will bring undeniable benefits for Brent, particularly in some of our most deprived areas such as Stonebridge and Harlesden.

“Weneed to ensure Brent is not left behind and that all our residents benefit from the huge investment and opportunities HS2 will create.”

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