Gatwick and Heathrow are expected to exercise massive delays this Christmas as they will be stopping the Gatwick Express Trains for ten days at the end of the year as part of a “large program of engineering in the Thames Valley needed for the launch of Crossrail in 2019”, says train operator Great Western Railway. Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect will also be closed for the thereafter Christmas.
The closures were enacted during this period to mostly effect travellers rather than the regular commuters. This being a less busy time of year for daily traffic, it helps to minimise the disruptions that are likely to occur.
With the closures in effect it is evident how much there is a lack of surface transport to and from Heathrow and Gatwick Airports. It is an ongoing problem that the government seems reluctant to address, especially in regards to their proposed expansion in both Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.
The underground Piccadilly line and additional bus and coach services will be in operation to help alleviate the closures. So any planned journeys to the airport during this time should be given even more time to get to the airport.
These improved links are absolutely vital for passengers, visitors and the economy. The work has been planned for months through working closely with Heathrow and Gatwick and all the train operators that serve them.
Once the new engineering works are done, things should go much smoother and as Londoners get back into the real world after the holidays, they will be able to use the newly improved rails.