Heathrow Southern Railway Limited (HSRL) – the independent private sector venture set up to transform the rail network serving Britain’s busiest airport – has reacted to Wednesday’s announcement that Heathrow will be given the green light for expansion.
HSRL’s plan is to unlock vastly easier access to Heathrow Airport through the construction of up to 8 miles of new railway from the west end of the existing Terminal 5 station, linking with the railway lines coming out of London Waterloo.
When complete, the new railway will open up access to Heathrow from key locations by enabling trains to operate between Heathrow and London Waterloo via Clapham Junction, Putney, Hounslow, Twickenham, Richmond, Staines and other intermediate stations; and between Heathrow, Woking, Guildford, Farnborough and Basingstoke. Direct trains could operate to Heathrow from as far away as the south coast. .
The new railway will also improve connectivity between Surrey and London for commuters, creating a new route from Basingstoke, Guildford and Woking via Heathrow Airport to Old Oak Common (for HS2 and the Elizabeth Line) and London Paddington. In addition, it would provide for an extension of the Elizabeth Line to Staines-upon-Thames.
HSRL Chair, Baroness Jo Valentine, said:
“The UK Government has set a bold agenda for growth with its support for a third runway at Heathrow Airport. Our railway enhances that growth by increasing connectivity and reducing surface emissions. These benefits accrue with a two runway airport but will be enhanced with an additional runway. We look forward to working with all partners to make this a reality”
HSRL Chief Executive, Mark Livcock, said:
“The new Government has expressed interest in finding ways to harness private sector finance in making the delivery of major infrastructure schemes more affordable. HSRL has a depth of experience in creating opportunities for private investment that could deliver tangible benefits to the UK, and Southern Rail Access to Heathrow would positively transform public transport connectivity to Europe’s busiest airport.”
For further information visit www.heathrowrail.com or contact Mark.P.Willliams@aecom.com
Notes for editors:
- The UK Department for Transport conducted a market sounding exercise with potential private sector promoters of a Southern Rail Link to Heathrow (SRLtH) during 2018. In June 2023, Transport Minister Baroness Vere told the House of Lords that the UK Government “remains committed to improving rail access to Heathrow airport and our ambition is that any Southern Access to Heathrow scheme is funded and delivered by the private sector. Proposals need to be developed in a way that does not require government funding and secures significant benefits. We continue to discuss options and engage with the promoters as they work to resolve these outstanding issues.”
- In August 2023, Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan told the London Assembly he welcomes “the useful role that a Southern Rail Link to Heathrow could play in supporting a shift to sustainable modes, while transforming access to Heathrow Airport for passengers and staff from South London, Surrey and Hampshire. I am aware that a number of factors coming together in recent months have increased the prospects of a scheme moving forward. The Greater London Authority and Transport for London maintain regular dialogue with a broad range of interested stakeholders as we look to resolve the issues which have obstructed progress to date, while ensuring that any scheme meets the needs of Londoners and does not impact the reliable operation of the railway network.”
- HSRL intends to create fast, easy and relaxing rail access to Heathrow Airport by building 8 miles of rail infrastructure from the west end of the existing Terminal 5 station, enabling trains to run from Woking, Guildford and Basingstoke to Heathrow Airport and on to Old Oak Common (for HS2) and London Paddington (for the Elizabeth Line).
- Heathrow Southern Railway will also enable electric trains to operate between Heathrow Airport and London’s Waterloo terminus via Clapham Junction, Putney, Hounslow, Twickenham, Richmond, Staines and other intermediate stations. Waterloo East and Clapham Junction will make Heathrow accessible from Kent and Sussex with just one change of train.
- The best rail journey times projected by HSRL are 16 minutes from Woking to Heathrow, 26 minutes from Guildford to Heathrow and 6 minutes from Staines upon Thames to Heathrow.
- HSRL forecasts that the new railway will remove 86 million car kilometres from the road network each year, will be used by 33,000 passengers per day and could be open by 2032
