Member Article

Heathrow begins public consultation on Western Rail link

Public consultation for a proposed Western Rail link at Heathrow Airport has opened today, as the airport looks to boost its claim for an extra runway.

If approved, the proposal will see the tunneling of a 3.8km link from a junction on the Great Western Main Line near Slough and service four trains per hour between Reading and Heathrow, thus dramatically decreasing journey times west of the airport.

The plans are a central part of the airport’s plans to ensure that, in the wake of any potential expansion, there are no extra airport-related vehicles on the road in 2030 in comparison to today.

According to estimates by Heathrow and Network Rail, the plans have the potential to remove up to one million car journeys from local roads, and save 30m road miles of carbon emissions in the first year alone.

Chris Joyce, Head of Surface Access, at Heathrow said: “The Western Rail Link will aid Heathrow in its ambition to provide the best airport service in the world, but it will also have benefits further afield.

“This is a transformative project with tremendous opportunities to expand opportunities for businesses in Slough, Reading and those further West and could make a real difference in reducing the largest source of local air pollution, road emissions.”