Transport bosses are continuing to push for new Heathrow rail links from across the South East to support airport expansion plans. Transport for London (TfL) has warned that an expected passenger surge of 80 per cent will require extra links from Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire to make the £49bn project feasible.
In its annual update on delivering the Mayor of London's transport strategy, the authority warned that even Heathrow's less ambitious targets would result in a 150 per cent increase in public transport trips. As both TfL and Sadiq Khan want the Government to commit to no increase in M25 traffic due to air quality concerns, they believe the long-mooted Southern and Western rail links must be made a priority.
Proposed Southern and Western Rail Links
The proposed Southern link would see new track laid from the existing Terminal 5 station to Staines, where it can link up with South Western Railway services. This means trains would be able to reach the airport directly from Waterloo and Clapham Junction via Richmond or Hounslow. A second proposed branch to Virginia Water would enable direct services to run to Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire, meaning many passengers could avoid other parts of London entirely when travelling to Heathrow.
The western rail link would involve a tunnel from Heathrow to the Great Western Main Line between Langley and Iver, which would provide a direct link to and from the West Country and South Wales. Industry bosses said the possibility of this project moved 'a step closer' in April due to Heathrow's third runway plans.
Business Case and Timeline
The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce said the combination of construction costs being lower than previously expected and the new runway means there is an opportunity to develop a business case to deliver the rail expansion. If the rail link opened in 2032, the organisation said there would be a positive return on investment by 2044. The full report is yet to be published due to its containing potentially sensitive commercial information, the TVCC said.
Heathrow Express Under Review
Earlier this month MyLondon revealed Khan's wishes for the Heathrow Express to be 'reconsidered' in 2028 once its current operating contract comes to an end. The Mayor called on the Government to decide whether the current service is the best use of valuable train paths into Paddington station considering the Elizabeth line's success since it was introduced in 2022. A joint report with TfL does not explicitly call for the direct link to be axed, but it does say the Department for Transport should explore alternative options to increase ridership at a lower cost for passengers.
Heathrow Express is owned by the airport's managing company itself, but currently outsources its day-to-day operation to Great Western Railway. The current service contract was signed in 2018 and is due to expire in 2028. Ridership has declined steadily over the past decade and currently sits at 4.3m passengers per year.
Alternative Rail Options
During this time, the Elizabeth line has become the key route from Central London to Heathrow. Ten more trains are due to enter service throughout 2026 and 2027 ahead of the HS2's launch from Old Oak Common, which will potentially bolster services heading towards the airport. During the same period, TfL will roll out the new fleet of 94 Piccadilly line trains - the cheapest but longest route to Heathrow. This will boost capacity on the Tube service and make it a more attractive option for those who might currently opt for the Heathrow Express.
An off-peak Piccadilly line service from Zone 1 to Heathrow currently costs £5.90 taking roughly an hour, compared to a 30-40 minute journey on the Elizabeth line for £15.50 and a 15-minute journey on the Heathrow Express for £26 - although these tickets can be bought in advance.
Alex Williams, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, TfL, said: 'With limited capacity on the Great Western Main Line (GWML) and competing demands from a number of train services, the focus must be on using it in a way that benefits the most passengers and improves reliability. As customers increasingly choose the Elizabeth line for its frequent, direct services, and with Heathrow Express's current GWML access ending in 2028, we are working with the Government, Network Rail and other stakeholders to consider how best these train paths are used.'
