BRACKNELL MP James Sunderland has joined with other MPs in calling for a new rail link to Heathrow airport.
Last week, a parliamentary debate was called by Tan Dhesi, the Labour MP for Slough, based on his cross-party campaign to extend Great Western Railway’s network to the airport.
He said Heathrow’s analysis showed it could bring £800 million of gross value, create 42,000 jobs, and shift 20% of traffic from road to rail. There would also be £1.5 billion in efficiency savings for businesses.
“It is a levelling up project that would benefit local, regional and national economic growth,” he said.
Support came from a Heathrow stakeholder steering group, including Heathrow airport, the Thames Valley chamber of commerce, Great Western Railway, Slough Borough Council, Network Rail, BAE, Transport for London, the Department for Transport, Slough Estates Group, Atkins.
“As eloquently explained by the Thames Valley chamber of commerce, the proposed four-mile rail link to London Heathrow airport would connect 20% of the UK population to within one interchange of our nation’s main hub airport.
“This strategic development would facilitate more direct access for travellers, allowing constituents to travel direct to Heathrow, eliminating the need to travel first to London Paddington and then back out again.”
M Sunderland, vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group, felt the link would bring huge benefits to London as well as the M4 corridor.
“The rail link is about jobs, economic growth, boosting travel opportunities across the UK and boosting Heathrow airport … It is almost perverse that passengers coming from the west of England and Wales cannot travel directly to our major international airport hub,” he said.
Mr Dhesi agreed, saying the route would help decongest Paddington station.
Windsor MP Adam Afriyie pointed out the rail link would also remove congestion from roads.
“I think it is a really good move,” he added.
Mr Dhesi said the rail link had been identified as “a nationally significant infrastructure project by the National Infrastructure Commission, promises to decrease train travel times, offer a consistent service of trains in each direction, vastly improve connections from across the great western network, and bring destinations within the “golden hour” for foreign direct investors. The western rail link to Heathrow would provide four trains per hour to the great western main line; significantly enhance accessibility for millions of people, from Swansea to Swindon, Cardiff to Exeter and Reading to Bristol; offer direct links to Heathrow; and shed half an hour off many journey times.”
He pointed out the four-mile rail link was estimated to cost £47 million, but it was not progressed.
“It is about time that they built the western rail link to Heathrow for the benefit of the local, regional and national economies,” he said, adding that if a third runway was built, the rail link would be “critical”.
“The importance of building the western rail link to Heathrow cannot be overstated. It would open up significant opportunities for growth, and enhance the travel experience and connectivity to Heathrow. The scheme will bring evidenced returns on investment to the Exchequer, help boost the UK’s productivity, and improve economic stability,” he said.
Responding, Huw Merriman, the minister for transport, said the government was committed to improving access to Heathrow airport, such as through the Elizabeth Line and improvements to the Piccadilly Line.
On the Western rail link scheme, he said: “Any Government funding would be subject to agreement on a significant third-party financial contribution. The position pre-pandemic was that only 50% of the cost would be funded by Government.”
He said that the lack of development of a third runway at the airport had had an impact on private sector funding, but he expected an update on plans and costs for the rail link later this year.
“The Government remain committed to investing in rail,” he added.
Mr Deshi wanted to know when later in the year was, and Mr Merriman encouraged him to arrange a meeting to set out a timeline.
“I can set out what is required from a private sector financing perspective, because I need to know that the money will be there if we are to do the work within Government. Let us all work together, and let us sit down and have that meeting.”
The debate took place in Parliament on Tuesday, April 30.
