Views sought on new Great Western rail link
£500m project will extend rail routes west to Reading and beyond
Residents and businesses across the West, South West and Thames Valley areas are invited to have their say at a series of public consultation events on Network Rail’s plans for a new rail link connecting London Heathrow to the West.
The proposed link – which will cost around £500m, would include a 5km tunnel from the Great Western main line to Heathrow Terminal 4, opening up direct routes to Reading and beyond.
If successful, the major investment would be the second large-scale rail project to come to the region after the ongoing electrification of the Great Western rail line from London to Newbury and beyond, which has led to the closure of part of Boundary Road bridge since last month.
The first round of consultation for the new plans took place last year and the second is now under way until March 12, before a final submission date for feedback on April 4.
Network Rail’s managing director for the Western route Mark Langman said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to provide us with feedback at our first round of events.
“This proved to be invaluable in helping us to develop the scheme and we are now at a stage where we would like to seek people’s views on our updated plans.
“This proposed link presents many opportunities for residents and businesses based across the Thames Valley, the South West and West.
“It will not only provide millions of passengers with faster journeys, but it will also help to relieve congestion at London Paddington and open opportunities for thousands of businesses, enabling them to become more competitive, increasing economic growth.”
The proposed rail link would leave the Great Western Mail Line at a new junction between Langley and Iver stations and link to existing railway platforms at Heathrow Terminal 4.
It would provide the capacity for four trains per hour from Reading to Heathrow via Slough, with alternate services calling at Twyford and Maidenhead.
For details of upcoming consultation events visit the Network Rail website.