Push for regional rail link

Published 21 Jul 2011 09:00 1 Comment

LEADING businesses are planning a joint drive to harden up ambitious plans for a multi-million pound rail link between Reading and Heathrow.

More than 30 companies from across the Thames Valley will be pressing for a western rail link to Europe's busiest airport at a working lunch at the offices of Microsoft at Thames Valley Business Park tomorrow (Friday).

At the meeting, set up by the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, Slough Labour MP Fiona Mactaggart will brief businesses about the options for a project costing from £180m to £500m to create a direct link to the airport following the collapse of the Heathrow Airtrack project earlier this year.

Passengers currently face lengthy journeys via Paddington or run the risk of traffic jams on the M4 by travelling by coach, or car. Businesses from the Reading area also spend up to £10m a year in taxi fares to Heathrow.

Chamber of Commerce Reading President Tom Fuller, who also heads the Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), told the Chronicle: "There are huge frustrations. People are having to spend significant time getting to the airport because they are getting clogged in traffic on the M4. They've talked about a direct rail link for years and it needs to be moved forward."

Paul Forest, from Richfield Avenue administration company Extra Pair of Hands, will represent the Federation of Small Business (FSB) tomorrow. In a previous job he flew abroad up to 10 times a month, and he said: "It's crucial to the area. The only sensible way to get to Heathrow is by car but the traffic's so bad, especially on the way back when you get off a flight absolutely shattered and you find the road is log jammed."

Tim Smith, executive director of the town's economic development company Reading UK CIC, sings the praises of the town's £850m railway station upgrade but said: "A direct access to Heathrow would be a big step forward in making our economy more potent and is fundamental for business retention. The Reading business community has made it clear how important face to face meetings with international clients are, despite internet and video calls."

Last Thursday Reading East MP Rob Wilson held a meeting with BAA, Network Rail, First Great Western and other business executives to discuss the project - just hours after transport secretary Philip Hammond officially unveiled the £5bn Great Western Railway modernisation programme which includes electrification of the line and replacement of aging Intercity125 trains.

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• 

  honeybear
  197 posts
  Aug 2, 05:56
  Report comment

  This what the money put aside for HS2 should be used for and improvement to existing lines.
  
  If you disagree with the HS2 High speed rail link write to your local MP.
  
  Businesses put your letters into MP's and fight to stop and get improvements we want and need.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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