Sadiq Khan has thrown his assist behind plans for a brand new London practice route connecting Heathrow Airport with the south west. The Mayor of London stated the Southern Rail Link scheme might be transformative in enabling extra folks, together with these in Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire. to succeed in the UK’s busiest airport.
The proposal would see a brand new observe laid from Terminal 5 station down in direction of the present South Western Railway community, becoming a member of it at Staines. From there, trains would journey by means of Twickenham and Richmond – or by way of Hounslow and Brentford – to succeed in Clapham Junction and Waterloo.
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A second department is proposed to run from the airport to Virginia Water, enabling companies out in direction of Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire. That second department would additionally imply that companies from these counties may doubtlessly make use of the present Elizabeth line infrastructure to journey past Heathrow and thru to Paddington, together with a cease on the HS2 station of Old Oak Common.
Mr Khan was requested about his assist for the undertaking in a written query by Caroline Pidgeon, the London Assembly’s Liberal Democrat group chief.
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The mayor advised Ms Pidgeon: “I welcome the helpful position {that a} Southern Rail Link to Heathrow may play in supporting a shift to sustainable modes [of travel], whereas reworking entry to Heathrow Airport for passengers and employees from south London, Surrey and Hampshire.
“I’m conscious that plenty of components coming collectively in recent months have elevated the prospects of a scheme shifting ahead. The Greater London Authority and Transport for London keep common dialogue with a broad vary of stakeholders as we glance to resolve the problems which have obstructed progress to this point, whereas guaranteeing that any scheme meets the wants of Londoners and doesn’t impression the dependable operation of the railway community.”
Proposed undertaking would cost £1.3bn
The undertaking is being proposed by Heathrow Southern Railway Limited (HSRL), an organization proposing to build and personal the infrastructure – the capital cost of which was estimated in 2016/17 to be round £1.3bn.
The firm says that practice corporations may then pay them an entry cost with the intention to run passenger companies on the route, the framework for which might be regulated by the Office for Rail and Road.
In June, Baroness Vere of Norbiton – the Government’s transport spokesperson within the House of Lords – stated: “Government stays dedicated to enhancing rail entry to Heathrow airport and our ambition is that any Southern Access to Heathrow scheme is funded and delivered by the personal sector. Proposals must be developed in a approach that doesn’t require authorities funding and secures vital advantages.
“We proceed to debate choices and have interaction with the promoters as they work to resolve these excellent points.” In 2016, it was revealed {that a} huge ‘ghost’ practice station – with a size of 33 London buses – lies beneath Heathrow Terminal 5.
A Heathrow spokesman stated on the time that the area was inbuilt anticipation of the HSRL scheme. That identical yr, Feltham and Heston MP Seema Malhotra stated it was “scandalous that the world’s busiest airport will not be related to south London… for need of some kilometres of observe”.
The solely present rail entry into the airport is offered on an east-west foundation from Central London, by way of the Piccadilly and Elizabeth strains, together with the Heathrow Express service from Paddington.
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