BAA has submitted detailed plans for the Heathrow Airtrack rail link to the Secretary of State for Transport. The proposed new rail link will connect Heathrow with the national rail network to the south and west of the airport. Today's application for an order under the Transport and Works Act seeks to authorise the works required and the acquisition of any land that is needed either temporarily or permanently to deliver Heathrow Airtrack.
It is planned that Heathrow Airtrack will operate in each direction from Heathrow Terminal 5 to London Waterloo, Guildford and Reading. These trains will be in addition to the services already operating on these lines. At the same time, some Heathrow Express services will be extended through Heathrow Terminal 5 to Staines.
BAA Chief Executive, Colin Matthews, said “I am pleased to be submitting an application today for Heathrow Airtrack. These plans will improve rail services to Heathrow from areas to the south west of London and the Thames Valley. The rail link will offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to car travel for both passengers and staff, potentially taking thousands of cars per day off the roads around Heathrow. In addition, Airtrack will enhance prospects for economic growth in the area to the south and west of the airport.”
The plans have been formed following input from stakeholders through two rounds of public consultation. These took place in Spring and Autumn 2008, giving the local community a chance to have their say on the Heathrow Airtrack scheme.
The views of the local community were very important in developing the scheme. In particular, following comments from local residents, more work is being done in conjunction with local authorities, Network Rail and the highway authorities to investigate solutions at level crossings along the route. BAA is ensuring too that the designs for the proposed depot at Feltham limit light and noise pollution and include landscape screening, following responses to the consultation. BAA is also working hard to ensure that the plans for Staines town centre cause as little disruption as possible to local residents and businesses.
Letters of support, representations and objections to the application must be lodged within 56 days to the Secretary of State for Transport c/o Transport and Works Act Orders Unit, Department for Transport, 9/09 Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6DT or email transportandworksact@dft.gsi.gov.uk. All correspondence should clearly state your name and postal address.
Once the Secretary of State has had an opportunity to consider the application, a decision will be made on whether a Public Inquiry should be held into the proposals. BAA anticipates a Public Inquiry could be held at the beginning of 2010 and TWA powers could be granted towards the end of 2010.
Project documents relating to the application will be made available at local libraries and Council offices - details overleaf. Copies of the Heathrow Airtrack TWA submission, consultation response and non-technical summary of the environmental statement, can also be viewed and downloaded from Heathrow Airport's website www.heathrowairport.com/airtrack
