Thousands of West Londoners will benefit from rail access to the capital's transport system after Boris Johnson opened a new overground station at Imperial Wharf.

The £7.8m station will provide Hammersmith and Fulham residents with high frequency rail connections to Clapham Junction and Willesden Junction.

Partially funded by Transport for London (TfL), the station features Oyster ticketing, a staffed ticket office, step-free access, CCTV, and the latest security and information features.

It is served by London Overground's new air-conditioned trains, which have increased capacity, walk-through carriages and driver-monitored CCTV for improved security.

From 2011, it will be served by four London Underground trains per hour all day, every day.

The Mayor of London said: “The building of this stylish new station is an example of what can be achieved when private investment and local government work together for a common goal.

“It can only serve to encourage inward investment and help bring new businesses and jobs to an area that, although a neighbour to the high-fliers of Chelsea Harbour, has long been in need of the regeneration that is now taking place.

"The station gives people in this part of London, hitherto poorly served by the rail network, fast connections to the rest of the transport network, and puts Imperial Wharf well and truly on the map.

Stephen Greenhalgh, leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, said: "Imperial Wharf station will make the lives of thousands of commuters in Fulham and Chelsea much easier.

“It has taken a while to get here but after a lot of hard work by everyone involved there is light at the end of the tunnel.

"We aim to make Hammersmith & Fulham the Borough of Opportunity and great transport links are vital to achieving this.

“I am delighted that the north and south of the borough are now linked by Overground for the first time since the Second World War."

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