Heathrow Airtrack, the proposed new rail link between Heathrow Terminal 5 and the existing rail network to the south and west, including Reading, Guildford and London Waterloo, was discussed by Sunninghill and Ascot Parish Council on August 4.

Prompted by an e-mail from Councillor Mrs Lynda Yong, Parish councillors noted that the proposed Reading to Heathrow Terminal 5 rail service included a stop at Bracknell and not at Ascot. It was agreed, that because Ascot was a “change” station, and also because Ascot was a much bigger tourist attraction than Bracknell, it would be sensible for Ascot to be a stop for the new service. Further, it was pointed out that there was now no direct bus service from the Ascot area to Heathrow and it was considered that the Parish Council should ask if such a service could be reintroduced.

Other local business leaders are also considering the possibilities of the new service for Ascot Station, before the deadline for objections on September 18  and a potential Public Inquiry next year (see BAAs 'Timeline below). 

The issues for Ascot include a big improvement to the accessibiltiy of Heathrow, a boost for local business, tourism and the Racecourse, as well as the impact on existing rail services and Sunningdale level crossing (the track is thought to be operating at full capacity already), parking capacity at the station and local  development pressures .

The links below, to the press release (dated July 2009) and earlier BAA consultation documents, are are helpful in setting the context for an upgraded Ascot Station. 

Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL, a subsidary of BAA) has submitted an application to the Secretary of State for Transport for an Order under the Transport and Works Act 1992 (TWA).

This application seeks to authorise the works required and the acquisition of any land that is needed either temporarily or permanently to construct the scheme.

The following is a press release, by the British Airports Authority.  See also  www.heathrowairport.com/airtrack

PRESS RELEASE 24 July 2009 Heathrow Airtrack plans submitted for Transport and Works Act order

BAA has submitted detailed plans for the Heathrow Airtrack rail link to the Secretary of State for Transport. The proposed new rail link will connect Heathrow with the national rail network to the south and west of the airport. Today's application for an order under the Transport and Works Act seeks to authorise the works required and the acquisition of any land that is needed either temporarily or permanently to deliver Heathrow Airtrack.

It is planned that Heathrow Airtrack will operate in each direction from Heathrow Terminal 5 to London Waterloo, Guildford and Reading. These trains will be in addition to the services already operating on these lines. At the same time, some Heathrow Express services will be extended through Heathrow Terminal 5 to Staines.

BAA Chief Executive, Colin Matthews, said “I am pleased to be submitting an application today for Heathrow Airtrack. These plans will improve rail services to Heathrow from areas to the south west of London and the Thames Valley. The rail link will offer a more environmentally friendly alternative to car travel for both passengers and staff, potentially taking thousands of cars per day off the roads around Heathrow. In addition, Airtrack will enhance prospects for economic growth in the area to the south and west of the airport.”

The plans have been formed following input from stakeholders through two rounds of public consultation. These took place in Spring and Autumn 2008, giving the local community a chance to have their say on the Heathrow Airtrack scheme.

The views of the local community were very important in developing the scheme. In particular, following comments from local residents, more work is being done in conjunction with local authorities, Network Rail and the highway authorities to investigate solutions at level crossings along the route. BAA is ensuring too that the designs for the proposed depot at Feltham limit light and noise pollution and include landscape screening, following responses to the consultation. BAA is also working hard to ensure that the plans for Staines town centre cause as little disruption as possible to local residents and businesses.

Letters of support, representations and objections to the application must be lodged within 56 days to the Secretary of State for Transport c/o Transport and Works Act Orders Unit, Department for Transport, 9/09 Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6DT or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . All correspondence should clearly state your name and postal address.

Once the Secretary of State has had an opportunity to consider the application, a decision will be made on whether a Public Inquiry should be held into the proposals. BAA anticipates a Public Inquiry could be held at the beginning of 2010 and TWA powers could be granted towards the end of 2010.

Project documents relating to the application will be made available at local libraries and Council offices - details overleaf. Copies of the Heathrow Airtrack TWA submission, consultation response and non-technical summary of the environmental statement, can also be viewed and downloaded from Heathrow Airport's website www.heathrowairport.com/airtrack

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DOCUMENTS FROM EARLIER IN THE CONSULTATION PROCESS

Heathrow Airtrack

From February to April 2008, BAA held a first stage consultation on the major new works that will be required to link the Heathrow Terminal 5 station to the existing rail network in Staines.

View the Heathrow Airtrack consultation brochure 1  (715KB PDF)

A second stage consultation was carried out from October to December 2008 which provided an update on the scheme, introduced the proposals for a train depot in Feltham and identified the anticipated effect of the scheme on the existing rail network, including level crossings.

View the Heathrow Airtrack consultation brochure 2 (4MB PDF)

Following the second consultation, the scheme has been finalised. The Airtrack response to this consultation is contained in the following document:

View the Heathrow Airtrack Response to Consultation (364KB PDF)