[i]:
Station | 2013 | With new rail links | Difference |
Journey time | Changes | Journey Time | Changes | Journey time | Changes |
Birmingham | 2h 31m | 2 | 53m | 1 | -1h 38m | -1 |
Leeds | 3h 46m | 2 | 1h 38m | 1 | -2h 08m | -1 |
Manchester | 3h 16m | 2 | 1h 23m | 1 | -1h 53m | -1 |
Liverpool | 3h 29m | 2 | 1h 48m | 1 | -1h 41m | -1 |
Sheffield | 3h 32m | 2 | 1h 25m | 1 | -2h 07m | -1 |
Bristol | 2h 05m | 1 | 1h 40m | 1 | -25m | 0 |
Cardiff | 2h 35m | 1 | 1h 58m | 1 | -37m | 0 |
The new connections support Heathrow’s commitment to increase the proportion of passengers who use public transport to access the airport from 40% today to almost 60% by 2040, so that there will be no net increase in the amount of airport-related traffic on the roads. Taken alongside new and enhanced bus and coach services, they will transform Heathrow in to a world-class, fully integrated transport hub.
Since the previous plan for a third runway was rejected, Heathrow has been meeting with business groups across the UK to listen to their views on aviation. The resounding demand is for better regional connectivity to the UK’s hub airport so that companies across all regions are in better reach of global markets. Expanding Heathrow will create capacity for a number of new air routes to destinations in the UK that are currently served by competing hub airports in Europe. For example, Exeter, Liverpool, Newquay, Jersey, Inverness, Isle of Man and Humberside airports could be added to the existing links to Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast and Aberdeen. Heathrow has now committed to establishing a Taskforce for Regional Connectivity to develop policy proposals and recommendations for access to an expanded Heathrow.
Simon Earles, Head of Surface Access at Heathrow, said:
“Our ambition to connect Heathrow to every economic centre in Britain. New air and rail links including HS2, Western Rail, Southern Rail and Crossrail will transform journey times from Heathrow compared to today. Millions more people will have quick access to the UK’s global hub and be within easy reach of the world’s markets.”
Heathrow is already the UK’s best connected transport hub. It has the only dedicated non-stop airport express link. It has the UK’s busiest bus and coach station. It is the only airport with a London underground connection. It is the best connected airport to the strategic road network with the M25, M4, M40, M3 & M1 motorways all within close proximity. It is in a better geographical location for most UK passengers and companies than other options for airport expansion.
By the time a third runway opens, the major public transport improvements that will have been delivered include Crossrail, an upgrade to the Piccadilly Line, Western Rail Access, High Speed 2 and Southern Rail Access. Heathrow’s public transport mode share is expected to increase from 40% to more than 50%.
[i] ‘2013’ data based on National Rail Enquiries travel to Heathrow Terminal 5.
Train and seat capacity forecasts (per hour)
Service | 2013 | 2030 | 2040 |
| Trains tph | Seats | Trains tph | Seats | Trains tph | Seats |
Heathrow Express | 4 | 1,816 | 4 | 1,816 | 4 | 1,816 |
Crossrail/Connect | 2 | 620 | 6 | 2,700 | 8 | 3,600 |
Piccadilly Line | 12 | 2,736 | 18 | 4,536 | 18 | 4,536 |
Western Rail Access | - | - | 4 | 1,816 | 4 | 1,816 |
Southern Rail Access | - | - | 4 | 1,920 | 6 | 2,880 |
Total | 18 | 5172 | 36 | 12,798 | 40 | 14,648 |
‘With new rail links’ data based on published journey times on HS2 website and Western Rail access journey time from Reading of 30 minutes, plus 8 minute interchange and published DfT journey time savings for IEP programme.
RUK Surface Access takes place on 2 June in central London. It focuses on the challenges and opportunities from the promoters of the schemes shortlisted to be the Airports Commission's recommended options; Heathrow R3, Heathrow Hub, Gatwick second runway and an Estuary scheme.
