MPs meet minister to boost campaign to secure western rail link to Heathrow

INDIAN origin labour MP Tan Dhesi and conservative MP Richard Benyon met the Rail Minister, Andrew Jones MP, to discuss the work of the all-party parliamentary group for a western rail link to Heathrow (APPG WRLtH) on Wednesday (27).

Both Tan and Richard are co-chairs of the cross-party group of MPs and Peers.

The WRLtH proposal consists of a 6.5-kilometre rail link between Slough and London Heathrow Airport.

This connection would reduce travel time for the passengers travelling to Heathrow from the South Coast, South West, Wales, and West Midlands as there would be no need for them to travel through to London Paddington.

This move would also reduce congestion on some of the busiest motorways and roads and cut emissions dramatically.

The train journey to Heathrow from Slough would be reduced from 52 minutes to six minutes, Reading from 68 minutes to 26 minutes and Maidenhead from 59 minutes to 14 minutes: carbon dioxide could be reduced by 30 million road miles travelled annually.

It is estimated that the WRLtH could increase economic activity nationally by £800 million.

Richard Benyon MP for Newbury and co-chair of the APPG said: “The business case for this project is without question. There is a pressing case to ensure that this is delivered swiftly. At the moment it looks like delivery will not be achieved until 2027. That is far too distant. I am really glad that the Minister listened to our concerns and will try to help deliver the project earlier.”