ERTA supports early delivery of rail links to Heathrow and beyond
23 September 2020
Press Release
ERTA supports early delivery of rail links to Heathrow and beyond
ERTA is saddened by the Government’s constant deferring of the much needed new and better radial rail links to and from Heathrow. Government should look beyond the Airport as a magnet in itself, albeit it informs a footfall and market, none-the-less the wider strategic gains should not be lost beit for Covid 19, the downturn of aviation or environmental issues; rather these rail links could help reduce emissions anyway and improve connectivity. Without them the Government is locking-in congestion and emissions on local and regional roads, to, from and around Heathrow.
Key elements we would like to see:
1. Southern Rail Link, link from the Guildford-Woking-Wisley*-Heathrow should go on to link with Old Oak Common and onwards still to link with the Chiltern Main Line for destinations like Oxford, Bicester, Banbury, Aylesbury and via the new east-west rail link, into Milton Keynes and the West Coast Main Line.
* From Above: Wisley RHA courts over 1 million visitors per year normally, and should have a station to give a rail alternative to driving and boost footfall on and off the rails.
2. South from Woking, ERTA has long called for route protection and studying with a view to reopen the rail link between Guildford-Cranleigh and Horsham, enabling direct rail access into Gatwick from the south via Horsham and Crawley. This is a strategic missing link and sadly under threat currently.
3. We support the direct link from Reading-Heathrow and the Windsor Link Scheme, both of which should have a large underground station at Heathrow with loops and inter-connectivity with other existing and new rail lines, sharing same platforms and facilities for the convenience of passenger usage and interchange.
London badly needs more orbital rail links and these public transport assets, regardless of the airport, stand on their own merits providing they go on using the same rails to link with Old Oak Common, the Chiltern Main Line and south-wise the direct lines into Guildford and beyond in radial terms. Government should see the strategic gains of these rail links and like other projects elsewhere, work to move implementation closer, not defer leaving catch-up at a later date.
End Press Release
Further comment: Mr Richard Pill, Media Spokesperson: 07541 701718/[email protected]