Rail alternative for Heathrow
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
06/02/2009
Plans for a new rail network to tackle congestion on the roads around Heathrow were unveiled by the 2M Group last week.
The £1.5 billion scheme would provide through services from all sides of the airport and connections to 150 stations with up to 40 trains an hour.
BAA’s own figures show that, even without the controversial third runway, passenger numbers at the airport will grow by a third by 2030.
The 2M scheme will take a million cars off the roads every year and the new ‘compass point’ network could be built at a third of the cost of the Heathrow hub scheme favoured by ministers.
Instead of focusing on a high speed rail hub on the airport, the 2M scheme links up existing main lines to a new London to Scotland high speed rail line from Euston. The plans have been developed as part of the 2M Group’s support for alternatives to uncontrolled Heathrow expansion.
Councillor Nicholas Botterill, speaking on behalf of the 2M Group, said: “Whether Heathrow gets a third runway or not, it desperately needs better rail access if west London’s roads are to cope with rising passenger numbers.
“Airtrack and Crossrail by themselves will not be enough, while spending £4.5 billion on a high speed hub that provides few local benefits would just drain resources from a genuine high speed link from Euston to the North.
“Our scheme takes all the existing and proposed lines around Heathrow and knits them together. It is a joined-up scheme and a common sense approach that we hope everyone concerned about the environmental impact of the airport will support.”
The 2M Group is an all-party alliance of local authorities concerned at the environmental impact of Heathrow expansion on their communities. The group, which took its name from the two million residents of the original 12 members, now represents 22 authorities with a combined population of around 5 million people and is supported by the Mayor of London.
For more information including details of 2M’s high speed rail alternative visit www.2MGroup.org.uk
