Winchester & Chandler’s Ford MP Steve Brine is working with group of cross-party MPs to bring a new rail link to Heathrow Airport.
MPs, Peers, business and community leaders and local council leaders – including Hampshire County Council – support the new western link which will go via Reading.
Mr Brine attended a briefing, in the House of Commons, with Network Rail and the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce who highlighted the transformational effects from the delivery of this scheme since 20% of the UK population would be within one interchange of the busiest airport in Europe.
Sir John Armitt (former Commissioner at the Airports Commission, former Chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority and the current Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission) spoke about the benefits, while noting that a lot more work needed to be done and this could only be achieved through partnership.
The proposal consists of 6.5km rail link between Slough and London Heathrow Airport. This connection would reduce journey times for passengers travelling to Heathrow from the South Coast, South West, Wales and West Midlands as there would be no need for them to travel through to London Paddington. This move would also reduce congestion on some of the busiest motorways and roads and cut emissions dramatically.
Steve Brine MP said; “This new rail link is so obvious it’s incredible it hasn’t happened before. It would be of great benefit to my constituents who would no longer have to choose between driving around the busy M25 or taking the train into central London.
“It was good to see such excellent, cross-party, business and community support at this very well attended meeting. This long overdue scheme’s viability was overwhelmingly supported, and it presented the opportunity for a frank discussion of the issues surrounding the scheme that need to be addressed to make it happen. We’re all united in urging Network Rail and Ministers at the DfT to get on with it.”
Sir John Armitt added; “I was pleased to attend the meeting of the APPG and discuss the potential benefits that a Western rail link to Heathrow could bring. As well as the benefits of increased public transport links to the country’s biggest and busiest airport, it would also reduce air pollution, and pressure on services from London. I therefore remain supportive of this scheme, which has both been supported through my work at the Airports Commission, and by Government.”
A public consultation was held last year and all responses are now being analysed by Network Rail who have said they will publish finalised plans and hold public information events in early 2019.
Pictured; Steve Brine with cross-party MPs at the meeting in the House of Commons.
More information; Network Rail
The following were also present and made valuable contributions:
Shadow Welsh Secretary – Christine Rees MP
Shadow Transport Secretary – Andy McDonald MP
Former Attorney General – Dominic Grieve MP
Shadow Transport Minister – Matt Rodda MP
Seema Malhotra MP
Luke Pollard MP
Matt Western MP
David Drew MP
Jim Shannon MP
Lord Ranbir Suri
Lord Stoddart of Swindon
Lord Bradshaw
Councillor James Swindlehurst (Leader, Slough Borough Council)
Councillor Simon Dudley (Leader, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council)
