Heathrow Southern Railway Limited (HSRL) – the independent private sector venture set up to transform the rail network serving Britain’s busiest airport – said today that improved rail access should be central to plans for an expanded Heathrow.
Responding to this morning’s publication of Heathrow Airport Limited’s consultation document on runway expansion, HSRL Executive Director Graham Cross said:
“Even with the existing 2-runway airport, there is an air quality emergency in west London to which road traffic around Heathrow contributes significantly. A third runway will make a southern rail link essential if passengers and airport workers are to access Heathrow without making this crisis even worse.
“HSRL’s scheme is well-developed and the wide support it enjoys means that it can quickly proceed. The time for debate is over and the need for action is imperative.”
For further information visit www.heathrowrail.com or contact Mark Walker on 01733 767244 or 07742 925753.
Notes for editors:
- Heathrow Airport Limited’s consultation document published on 17 January 2018 says the company will “Work with stakeholders to support the development of a new direct rail link to Heathrow from the south” [p.55].
- London’s Deputy Mayor for Transport, Val Shawcross CBE, told the House of Commons Transport Committee on 15 January 2018 that Heathrow’s third runway will delay London meeting its legal target on air quality by 5 years from 2025 until 2030.
- The Government’s revised draft Airports National Policy Statement requires Heathrow Airport Limited to “maximise the proportion of journeys made to the airport by public transport, cycling and walking to achieve a public transport mode share of at least 50% by 2030, and at least 55% by 2040 for passengers..[and]…details of how it will achieve a 25% reduction from the current baseline of all staff car trips by 2030, and a reduction of 50% by 2040 from 2017 levels”. These conditions will be legally binding on HAL.
- 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. Electric trains will operate between Heathrow and London’s Waterloo terminus via Clapham Junction, Putney, Hounslow, Twickenham, Richmond, Staines and other intermediate stations. The proposed route provides a direct fast link between Woking, Guildford and Heathrow whilst improving connectivity between Surrey, Hampshire and London Paddington via Old Oak Common (for HS2 and the Elizabeth Line).
