Heathrow rail link put on hold
- The project to create a direct rail connection between Reading and Heathrow Airport has been postponed.
- This delay has raised concerns about transportation access to one of the UK's major airports.
- Stakeholders will have to reassess their plans following this unexpected hold.
Plans for a rail link connecting the Great Western mainline to Heathrow Airport have been officially withdrawn, leaving many residents in the west of Heathrow without a direct travel option to the airport. Labour MP for Slough, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, highlighted that the project has faced numerous delays and funding issues, despite enjoying broad support from both local communities and political parties. Network Rail, which has retracted its application for the link, has yet to comment on the decision. The ambitious project, which commenced in 2012, aimed to create a 4-mile rail connection allowing trains from Reading and Slough to access Heathrow via a tunnel. The cancellation was announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on July 29, as part of a broader review of government projects, which also included the A27 Arundel bypass and the Stonehenge tunnel. The review has raised concerns about the future of other infrastructure initiatives, including new hospital programs in the region. Despite the setback, Dhesi remains optimistic about the project's future. He has established the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Western Rail Link to Heathrow, ensuring that the initiative stays on the government’s agenda. Dhesi emphasized the importance of the project for economic growth and improved rail connectivity, particularly under a potential Labour government committed to addressing infrastructure needs and climate challenges. The community continues to advocate for the rail link, hoping that renewed political support will revive the project and fulfill the long-standing promise of enhanced access to Heathrow Airport.