Plans to build a Crossrail station in North Kensington are being resurrected by London Mayor Boris Johnson .
He has called for a further feasibility study to take place for the proposed station, which would be within the Kensal Canalside Opportunity Area and built on Kensal Gasworks site, off Ladbroke Grove .
The plan appeared dead after the the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) came to the view in 2013 following detailed analysis that it was not feasible.
The proposals had been put forward by Kensington and Chelsea Council , and since 2013, it has revised plans to ensure regeneration of the area, along with the Crossrail and HS2 station that is scheduled to open at Old Oak in 2026, with the Mayor now claiming the station could lead to 5,000 new homes and 2,000 jobs.
'Much needed fillip'
Mr Johnson said: “We have seen across London how Crossrail is transforming vast swathes of land and acting as a catalyst for much needed new homes and jobs. By looking again at the options for this station we firmly believe that it could have a similar impact, triggering a much-needed fillip for this part of the capital.
“We are now delving into the detail to see just what may be possible in North Kensington to ensure it does not miss out on the much-needed regeneration Crossrail will bring.”
The new studies will examine how a new station would impact on the wider rail network, including integration with longer term capacity enhancements planned for the Great Western Mainline.
'Hopes had been dashed'
The area around the proposed station is already earmarked for regeneration, but K&C estimates only 1,500 homes would be built on the site if plans did not include Crossrail.
Council leader Nicholas Paget-Brown said: “For a while it did seem our hopes for Portobello Crossrail had been dashed, but the Mayor, Network Rail, and we on the council are determined to achieve the optimum benefit from Crossrail.
"I am extremely grateful to the Mayor and to Network Rail for keeping channels open, and am delighted that it now looks as though Royal Borough residents can look forward to riding on the Elizabeth Line in the years ahead.”
Last month, the Mayor announced that Crossrail will be known as the Elizabeth line when the new service opens for passengers through central London in December 2018 in honour of the Queen.
It will deliver a direct connection between all of London’s main employment centres, linking Heathrow with Paddington, the West End, the City and Canary Wharf, and stop at West Drayton, Hayes & Harlington, Southall, Hanwell, West Ealing, Ealing Broadway and Acton Main Line.
