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Heathrow Airport Rail Link
17 - May - 2018

Network Rail in Final Round of Consultations over Heathrow Airport Rail Link

Network Rail, a major investor in UK’s rail network, is conducting the final round of consultations over a new western rail link that will connect Great Western Main Line to London Heathrow Airport.

Members of the public have been invited to give their opinion of the plans within the six-week timeline. This is the last of three public engagements to be held over the matter with the first one having been held in 2015.

Once the five-kilometre tunnel branching from the Great Western main line is complete, the link will cut journey times between west of England and Heathrow by five hours and will help to ease congestion on roads.

Mark Langman, Route Managing Director for Network Rail’s Western route, said: “We have been working hard to refine our proposals as a direct result of the feedback we received. The updated plans would have the least impact on the environment and would deliver the fastest journey times.

“We’re also conscious of the impact on local communities so we’ve worked hard to make sure our plans work with other developments in the area. We would like to hear views on our updated proposals before applying for consent to build the new link.”

The Department of Transport has funded the plans with aim of getting a detailed proposal before a go ahead is given.

18 consultation events will be held around Langley, Iver, Richings Park and Colnbrook where the 5-kilometer tunnel will be built. Locals and interested parties are invited to give their views.

The two previous rounds of consultations elicited 1,000 responses and Network Rail is seeking for more views on the matter. After consultations are complete, Network Rail will publish the full report and hold public information meetings between late 2018 and early 2019.

By Airport Pickups London