UK: More frequent flights to emerging markets, improved access to airports – including £500m towards a new rail link to Heathrow – and a reduction in the impact of airports on local communities is to be put at the heart of UK aviation strategy Transport Secretary Justine Greening has said, as she published the Government’s long-term vision for the sector.

The draft policy framework, which will form the basis of future sustainable aviation growth in the UK, has been developed following discussions with the industry. The framework also includes a package of measures which will quickly deliver operational improvements and boost economic growth within existing airport capacity constraints.



“We recognise that we need to go further now in enhancing the capability of UK airports, particularly in the South East. So today we are announcing the commitment of up to £500m towards a western rail link to Heathrow, subject to a business case and conclusion of agreements with the aviation industry. This recognises the continued importance of Heathrow as our major international hub. Businesses west of the airport have been calling for this vital investment for many years. It will cut typically 30 minutes off the journey to Heathrow from the west of England and south Wales, with significant benefits for growing cities like Swindon, Bristol and Cardiff. The service could come into operation as early as 2021. I will shortly publish a rail investment strategy, which will recognise the importance of transport investment to the economy, including improving connectivity between cities and airports,” Transport Secretary said, adding that “we will invite train companies to explore the potential of “code-sharing” between flights and long-distance train services, to enhance competition between trains and domestic flights.”

Steve Lamb, Chair of the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (TVB LEP), sponsor of the Western Rail Access to Heathrow (WRAtH) commented, “This is great news for a number of regions across the UK. A common piece of feedback we hear from local enterprises and organisations looking to move to the area is access to Heathrow what is a significant business benefit as it opens the door to the rest of the world’s emerging markets. The WRAtH project will give confidence to our businesses in the Thames Valley which is the most productive sub-region outside of London and is worth nearly £30bn.”

The Western Rail Access to Heathrow project will be included in the Government’s forthcoming High Level Output Specification for the railways (HLOS) announcement. The project is subject to a satisfactory business case and the agreement of acceptable terms with the Heathrow aviation industry.
Ruth Bagley, Chief Executive of Slough Borough Council and lead on WRAtH for TVB LEP said “We are delighted that WRAtH has been endorsed by the Secretary of State for Transport. This is a project Slough has been working on for more than three years with colleagues across Berkshire, gathering support from local authorities, the business community, LEP’s, Chambers of Commerce and individuals. WRAtH will provide a huge boost to the UK economy, generating an additional £1.5 billion economic activity, with £800 million of that and 42,000 jobs generated in the Thames Valley alone. A modal shift from road to rail will remove over 1 million car journeys from some of the most congested roads around Heathrow, benefitting businesses and residents in the area, and reducing CO2 emissions at the same time.”

The new rail line will cut up to 45 minutes off the journey to Heathrow from as far west as South Wales, with significant improvements for growing cities such as Swindon, Cardiff and Bristol. A recent study found that companies in the Thames Valley spend many millions annually on taxi fares to Heathrow because of the lengthy public transport options that currently exist.

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