Rail link for Heathrow

A private scheme to introduce rail services into Heathrow is making progress.

Heathrow Southern Railway Ltd (HSRL) – the private sector venture set up to transform the rail network serving Britain’s busiest airport – says the UK Government’s launch of a new ‘Acceleration Unit’ should make resolving the issue of a new public transport route to Heathrow Airport from the south a top priority.

HSRL Chief Executive, Chris Stokes, said:  “We congratulate Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on recognising the need for acceleration of infrastructure delivery to help the UK bounce back from the pandemic, and stand ready to assist in resolving the decades-long issue of a southern rail link to Heathrow Airport.

Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris told Parliament on 22 July that he would “move forward at pace” with this project and it is now time for the Government to follow through on his commitment.

HSRL intends to create fast, easy and relaxing rail access to Heathrow Airport by building 10km of rail infrastructure from the west end of the existing Terminal 5 station, mainly tunnelled, to connect to the existing rail network near Staines and Virginia Water.

The current public transport mode share for passengers using Heathrow Airport is just 39%.  HSRL’s new rail link will enable electric 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), providing a new route to central London.
 
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. 
 
It is forecast to be used by 33,000 passengers per day and could be open by the end of 2027.

www.heathrowrail.com

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Jason Whitaker , UK/Shepperton

I suggest a congestion charge for petrol/diesel vehicles in/out of Heathrow airport to pay for new rail and environmentally friendly services to/from the airport. Also it would encourage more electric/hybrid vehicles to take air passengers to/from the airport. Other UK airports should be encouraged to introduce the same congestion charge as well as busy cities in the UK