Heathrow Airtrack

Heathrow Terminal 5 has two safeguarded heavy rail platforms for use by a west-facing connection to the National Rail network, which would be utilised by Airtrack. The original proposal for the AirTrack link{{cite press release |publisher=BAA Heathrow Airport |date=February 2008 |url=http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets/B2CPortal/Static%20Files/LHR_airtracknew_Brochure.pdf|title=Improving public transport access to Heathrow Airport, Consultation brochure 1 |access-date=3 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007025822/http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets/B2CPortal/Static%20Files/LHR_airtracknew_Brochure.pdf |archive-date=7 October 2008 |url-status=dead}} included a new station, called Staines High Street, to be built near the site of the former station of the same name, but that plan was omitted from the revised proposals in the second public consultation, published on 20 October 2008.{{cite press release |publisher=BAA Heathrow Airport |date=October 2008 |url=http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets/Internet/Heathrow/Heathrow%20downloads/Static%20files/HeathrowAirtrack_Consultation2.pdf|title=Improving public transport access to Heathrow Airport - Consultation brochure 2 |access-date=10 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106043152/http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets/Internet/Heathrow/Heathrow%20downloads/Static%20files/HeathrowAirtrack_Consultation2.pdf |archive-date=6 January 2009 |url-status=dead}}

A new depot for rolling stock on the site of the former marshalling yard at Feltham is included in the proposal.

BAA indicated that it wished to extend the Heathrow Express service from Terminal 5 to a new terminal platform at {{rws|Staines}}.

The principle of a rail connection to Heathrow from the south had been the subject of considerable discussion and study for 50 years. Since 1960, there have been more than 10 studies or proposals that considered how to improve surface access to Heathrow by means of an additional fixed rail link, and in 1984 studies confirmed the viability of the link.{{cite web |url=http://www.airtrack.org/airtrack_history.htm |title=The AirTrack Forum - History |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906160621/http://www.airtrack.org/airtrack_history.htm |archive-date=2009-09-06 |access-date=5 September 2013}}

Following a period of public consultation in 1998, BAA submitted plans on 24 July 2009 to the Secretary of State for Transport seeking authorisation under the Transport and Works Act to acquire the necessary land and begin constructing the rail link.

Work had been forecast to begin in 2011, with rail services operating by 2015.{{cite web |publisher=BAA Heathrow Airport |date=11 April 2011 |url=http://mediacentre.heathrowairport.com/Press-releases/Heathrow-s-vision-for-future-rail-access-10f.aspx |title=Heathrow's vision for future rail access |url-status=dead |access-date=5 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702192823/http://mediacentre.heathrowairport.com/Press-releases/Heathrow-s-vision-for-future-rail-access-10f.aspx |archive-date=2 July 2012}} On 30 July 2010 the Department of Transport wrote to all parties involved in the public inquiry, informing them that this had been delayed indefinitely. The reason cited was that "the Government has confirmed that its most urgent priority is to tackle the UK's budget deficit and that there will be a spending review in the Autumn. The review may have implications for the proposed funding of the Airtrack Scheme and until the position becomes clearer, we do not consider it appropriate to take matters forward...".{{cite web |publisher=wokingham-airtrack.org |url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=c211Z2dpdC5jb218d2F0ZXJsb28tcm9hZHxneDphM2FiOTE3YjAyMTM4NQ&pli=1/ |title=Department of Transport |access-date=7 August 2010}}

In the event, Airtrack was not mentioned in the spending review and, as a result, in November 2010 BAA announced that the "public inquiry remains deferred".{{cite web |url=http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/page/Heathrow%5EGeneral%5EOur+business+and+community%5EHeathrow+Airtrack/100046e4daa55110VgnVCM10000036821c0a____/448c6a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____/ |title=Heathrow Airtrack |work=BAA Heathrow Official airport website |access-date=27 January 2011}}

The economic case considers Airtrack to be a low-cost option,{{cite web |url=http://www.southeast-ra.gov.uk/documents/transport/airtrack_final_report-dec07.pdf |title=Wider Economic Impacts of Airtrack - Final Report |date=December 2007 |publisher=Steer Davies Gleave, consultants |access-date=6 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202065816/http://www.southeast-ra.gov.uk/documents/transport/airtrack_final_report-dec07.pdf |archive-date=2 December 2008 |url-status=dead }} for only {{convert|4|km|miles}} of new line would be required, mostly within Spelthorne. The remaining new infrastructure would consist of station improvements and associated facilities.

The key elements of construction work would be:

• Tunnelling from Heathrow Terminal 5 to Stanwell Moor
• Construction of a new rail line across Stanwell Moor and Staines Moor
• Construction of a new section of track in Staines-upon-Thames town centre
• Remodelling of Staines station

In 2008, the scheme was estimated to cost about £673 million,{{cite web |url=http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets/Internet/Heathrow/Heathrow%20downloads/Static%20files/Airtrack_Estimate_of_costs_D0069.pdf |title=The Heathrow Airtrack Order: Estimate of Costs of Carrying out the Proposed Works |date=2008 |publisher=BAA Heathrow Airport |access-date=6 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721122143/http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets/Internet/Heathrow/Heathrow%20downloads/Static%20files/Airtrack_Estimate_of_costs_D0069.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2011 |url-status=dead }} of which about £150 million was expected to come from an operating surplus and the remainder from a government subsidy.

The passenger services proposed for the Airtrack service are generally to offer a half-hourly service to each destination:

London Waterloo – Heathrow: two trains per hour, stopping at:

• Clapham Junction
• Richmond
• Twickenham
• Feltham
• Staines

An extension of the Heathrow Express service to Staines-upon-Thames would provide an additional 2tph between the airport and Staines-upon-Thames. Journey time from Waterloo to Heathrow Airport would have been approximately 40 minutes.{{cite web |url=http://www.airtrack.org/airtrack_proposed.htm |title=Aitrack Forum: Proposed Services |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081027150836/http://www.airtrack.org/airtrack_proposed.htm |archive-date=2008-10-27 |access-date=5 September 2013}}

Guildford – Heathrow (via Egham and Virginia Water): two trains per hour (one per hour at peak times), stopping at:

• Chertsey
• Woking

Journey time from Guildford to Heathrow would be approximately 36 minutes.

Reading – Heathrow (via Egham and Virginia Water) two trains per hour, stopping at:

• Wokingham
• Bracknell

Journey time from Reading to Heathrow would be approximately 45 minutes.

File:Pond on Stanwell Moor - geograph.org.uk - 131630.jpg, which has been reduced by successive widenings of the M25]]

File:Egham Hythe - Thorpe Road level crossing - geograph.org.uk - 913151.jpg

File:Wokingham - Waterloo Crossing - geograph.org.uk - 135124.jpg

AirTrack Forum, a group of local authorities, businesses and community organisations from Surrey, London and Berkshire, was formed by British Airways in 2000 to support the Airtrack scheme. The group commissioned consultants to study the economic benefits of the scheme funded by the (now defunct) South East England Regional Assembly.{{cite web |url=http://www.airtrack.org/about.htm |title=About Us|work=Airtrack Forum |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051217175329/http://airtrack.org/about.htm |archive-date=2005-12-17 |access-date=5 September 2013}}{{cite press release |publisher=AirTrack Forum |url=http://www.airtrack.org/news.htm |title=Airtrack Latest News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051217160350/http://airtrack.org/news.htm |archive-date=2005-12-17 |access-date=5 September 2013}} A number of local authorities have expressed broad support for Airtrack, among them Runnymede, Reading, Woking, Guildford, Bracknell Forest, Wokingham, Surrey and Hampshire County Councils, along with Transport for London and the Mayor of London.{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmtran/435/435we09.htm |title=Supplementary memorandum submitted by BAA Limited (PEAT 07A) |date=May 2007 |publisher=House of Commons Select Committee on Transport |access-date=6 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605025346/http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmtran/435/435we09.htm |archive-date=5 June 2011}}

Some authorities have expressed concerns or objected to certain details of the plans, such as Wokingham. Surrey County Council, although it had previously objected, revised its position after BAA offered to fund £11 million of transport improvements.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11434923 |title=Surrey County Council considers Airtrack U-turn |date=2010-09-29 |work=BBC News |access-date=5 September 2013}}{{cite news |url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/residents-sold-down-river-over-4818559 |newspaper=Surrey Advertiser |title=Residents 'sold down the river' over Airtrack |first=Russell |last=Butt |date=2010-09-29 |access-date=5 September 2013}} The move was criticised by the local MP and Secretary of State for Transport Philip Hammond.{{cite news |url=http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/mps-county-council-bribe-jibe-4817783 |title=MP's county council 'bribe' jibe over Airtrack |date=2010-10-07 |newspaper=Surrey Advertiser |first=Russell |last=Butt |access-date=5 September 2013}} The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead expressed "strong concerns" about Airtrack.{{cite press release |url=http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/news_9709_airtrack_council_concerns.htm |title=Borough's strong concerns about BAA Airtrack proposals |date=2009-08-19 |publisher=The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721064334/http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/news_9709_airtrack_council_concerns.htm |archive-date=21 July 2011 |access-date=5 September 2013}}

Most of the construction work would affect Staines Moor and Stanwell Moor, which include a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and extensive consultations took place in Spelthorne resulting in major modifications of the scheme. Residents of Feltham expressed opposition to plans for a new train depot close to a natural conservation area.{{cite news |url=http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/4455641.Petition_presented_to_Downing_Street_over_Airtrack_scheme/ |title=Residents deliver petition to Downing Street opposing Airtack scheme |date=24 June 2009 |publisher=Richmond & Twickenham Times |access-date=6 January 2010}} In response to these concerns, BAA published assurances in their consultation literature that the Feltham depot would have been designed to limit noise and light pollution, and with landscape screening.

A large part of the proposed Airtrack route would run on the Waterloo–Reading line which has fourteen level crossings. Opponents have expressed concerns about the impact of the scheme on these crossings, and local campaigners have that claimed more frequent trains would increase waiting times at closed barriers and cause more road congestion. Level crossings along the route without viable alternatives are chiefly four in Egham{{cite web |url=http://www.egham-airtrack.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=60 |title=Level Crossings and Egham |publisher=Egham Chamber of Commerce |access-date=6 January 2010}} (Egham Airtrack campaigning website){{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/surrey/7764887.stm |title=Rail link 'brings traffic delays' |date=4 December 2008 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=6 January 2010}} and one in Wokingham.{{cite news |url=http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/news/s/2039628_airport_link_could_create_chaos |title=Airport link could create 'chaos' |last=Fort |first=Hugh |date=19 November 2008 |work=The Wokingham Times|access-date=6 January 2010}}{{cite news |url=http://www.getwokingham.co.uk/business/s/2055045_wokingham_station_will_need_overhaul_to_cope_with_airtrack |title=Wokingham station will need overhaul to cope with Airtrack |date=31 July 2009|work=The Wokingham Times|access-date=6 January 2010}}

According to an Environmental Statement issued by BAA, Airtrack would have had a slight impact on eight crossings, with barrier closure times increasing by no more than 13%; three crossings would have been moderately affected, with closure time increases of between 13% and 25%; and four crossings would have been "severely" affected, with barrier downtime increasing by between 25% and 36%.{{cite web |url=http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets/Internet/Heathrow/Heathrow%20downloads/Static%20files/ES_Volume2_Level_Crossing-Effects_Heathrow_Airtrack.pdf |title=Heathrow Airtrack Environmental Statement Volume 2: Effects at Road Level Crossings |last=Giesler |first=Nick |year=2009 |publisher=Temple Group Ltd |access-date=6 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721121920/http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets/Internet/Heathrow/Heathrow%20downloads/Static%20files/ES_Volume2_Level_Crossing-Effects_Heathrow_Airtrack.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2011}} Wokingham Borough Council objected to BAA's plans on the grounds that no proper impact assessment had been carried out on level crossing dwell times.{{cite news |url=http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/EasySiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=91597&type=full&servicetype=Attachment |title=Section 3.1.3 Wokingham Borough Council Objection |date=16 September 2009 |publisher=Wokingham Borough Council |access-date=6 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720045553/http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/EasySiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=91597&type=full&servicetype=Attachment |archive-date=20 July 2011}} BAA investigated the possibility of constructing new road bridges or tunnels to mitigate problems with level crossings.

{{main|Heathrow Airport transport proposals}}

A number of new proposals for expanding transport at Heathrow Airport have been put forward, among which are schemes closely related to Airtrack.

In October 2011, Wandsworth London Borough Council announced a revised plan called Airtrack-Lite. To address some of the concerns, this proposes that the Waterloo-to-Windsor service would divide at Staines-upon-Thames, and the service from Weybridge to London (via the Hounslow loop) would be recast as Weybridge-to-Heathrow and Heathrow-to-London services.{{cite web |url=http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=10776 |title=New Airtrack plan to connect Heathrow |work=Wandsworth Council |date=28 October 2011 |access-date=5 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825114424/http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=10776 |archive-date=25 August 2012 |url-status=dead }}

In March 2013, Wandsworth Council initiated a study into providing a 30-minute rail journey from Clapham Junction to Heathrow.{{cite web |url=http://ww3.wandsworth.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s26622/13-134%20South%20London%20-%20Heathrow%20Rail%20Link.pdf |title=Report by the Chief Executive and Director of Administration (on behalf of all officers concerned) on the Proposed South London – Heathrow Rail Link Project |access-date=5 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427143618/http://ww3.wandsworth.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s26622/13-134%20South%20London%20-%20Heathrow%20Rail%20Link.pdf |archive-date=27 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}

A new rail link proposal was included in the government's 2012 High Level Output Specification for rail. The proposed line would use a west-facing connection near Slough, which would allow through trains to serve the airport from South Wales and Bristol if a business case could be established.{{cite web |url=http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2012/07/13-new-rail-link-in-governments.html |title=New rail link included in DfT aviation plans | Railnews | Today's news for Tomorrow's railway |publisher=Railnews |date=2012-07-13 |access-date=5 September 2013}}

A variation of Airtrack-Lite is the Windsor Link Railway proposal, calling for a new link to Terminal 5 from a triangle at Wraysbury, for a direct west of England link and a southern London rail link to and from Heathrow. Its envisaged bridge over the M25 is cheaper than the tunnelling associated with most other schemes.

A rival unrelated proposal, Heathrow Southern Railway, was announced in 2017.{{cite web |url=http://heathrowrail.com/ |title=Heathrow Rail |access-date=1 January 2018}}

In 2016, the Airtrack-lite plans were re-stated as part of improvements which could be linked to the proposed third runway at Heathrow.{{cite web |url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/new-rail-route-would-link-10741250 |title=New rail route would link Heathrow with Waterloo in 43 minutes |date=17 January 2016 |publisher=Get West London |access-date=17 January 2016}}{{cite press release |url=http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets/Internet/Heathrow/Heathrow%20downloads/Static%20files/FINAL_Heathrow_Airtrack_Consultation_Response.pdf |title=Improving public transport access to Heathrow Airport - Update 1, Response to Consultation |date=Summer 2009 |publisher=BAA |access-date=6 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721122314/http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets/Internet/Heathrow/Heathrow%20downloads/Static%20files/FINAL_Heathrow_Airtrack_Consultation_Response.pdf |archive-date=21 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}

{{Heathrow rail services|collapse=yes}}

• Crossrail
• Heathwick
• HS4Air
• Superlink (railway network)
• Western Rail Approach to Heathrow

{{reflist}}

• {{cite web|title=Heathrow Airtrack|url=http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/page/Heathrow%5EGeneral%5EOur+business+and+community%5EHeathrow+transformation%5EHeathrow+AirTrack/100046e4daa55110VgnVCM10000036821c0a____/448c6a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____/|website=BAA Heathrow|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206203113/http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/page/Heathrow%5EGeneral%5EOur+business+and+community%5EHeathrow+transformation%5EHeathrow+Airtrack/100046e4daa55110VgnVCM10000036821c0a____/448c6a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____/|archive-date=6 February 2009|url-status=dead}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20081021051206/http://www.airtrack.org/ AirTrack Forum website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110927144740/http://www.wokingham-airtrack.org/ Wokingham objection website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090904114911/http://www.egham-airtrack.co.uk/ Egham-Airtrack.co.uk]* {{cite web|title=Egham Airtrack|url=http://www.egham-airtrack.co.uk/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010005128/http://www.egham-airtrack.co.uk/|archive-date=10 October 2010|url-status=dead}} (opposition campaign website)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110721121920/http://www.heathrowairport.com/assets/Internet/Heathrow/Heathrow%20downloads/Static%20files/ES_Volume2_Level_Crossing-Effects_Heathrow_Airtrack.pdf TWA Application, Environmental Statement Volume 2]

{{London Heathrow Airport}}

Category:Rail transport in London

Category:Abandoned rail transport projects in the United Kingdom

Airtrack

Category:Cancelled airport rail links