Heathrow link

Support in public consultation for new rail link to Heathrow Airport from the west, but DfT rejects southern Windsor Link scheme.

NETWORK Rail proposals to build a new rail link to Heathrow Airport from the west have received overwhelming support.

Some 72% of respondents to a statutory public consultation held earlier this year agreed with plans for the link, which would enable passengers to travel direct to Heathrow from Reading, Maidenhead and Slough without changing at London Paddington.

The new four-mile connection would leave the Great Western Main Line between Langley and Iver, before descending beneath the main line and into a cutting. It would then enter a tunnel under Richings Park and Colnbrook, before merging with existing lines near to Heathrow Terminal 5.

NR estimates that journey times could be reduced to as little as 26 minutes from Reading, and six to seven minutes from Slough - easing congestion on surrounding roads including the M4 and M3 and reducing C0 emissions equivalent 2 to 30 million road miles a year.

According to NR, 1,333 responses were received via post, email and its official consultation website, building on the previous 1,000 responses received during two previous rounds of public consultation in 2015 and 2016. Some 23% disagreed with the proposal, with a required road closure in the Iver area being cited as the most common objection.

A Development Consent Order application will now be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in 2019, with the final decision to proceed resting with the Secretary of State for Transport.

“We are delighted that the proposals have been given the overwhelming support of the public, businesses and stakeholders,” said NR Western Route Managing Director Mark Langman.

“We have also heard the concerns of some local residents so will continue to work hard to make sure our final plans work with other developments in the area.”