CHAMBER INVOLVE: OPINION
The Chamber gets on board with Heathrow Airport rail link plans
The Western Rail Link to Heathrow (WRLtH) is reaching a critical stage in decision making this year. Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce is
pleased that Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce is joining them, and fellow accredited Chambers, in seeking completion of this project, vital to UK Plc and to regional economies, including the South West. WRLtH is a 6.5km rail link from Heathrow T5
onto the western mainline, largely by tunnel. It will allow direct access every 15 minutes each way from Reading without travelling into London. This will provide a regular, reliable and faster service to the airport for approximately 14 million people in the South West, Wales, South and Midlands. Travellers from Plymouth, Exeter and other Devon stations will have their journey time cut by at least 30 minutes. It will reduce congestion and pollution on the M4 and potentially improve service capacity to Paddington by allowing trains to run through. It may in future enable some longer direct services. WRLtH will improve the international appeal
of the regions, create opportunities for improved trade links, business growth, construction contracts and development around stations. It will improve access to tourism locations for overseas visitors and to universities for overseas students and research partnerships. The economic benefits identified in 2010 (based on a two-runway airport) were:
• 42,000 new jobs • £800m added GVA • £1.5bn savings in travel times and costs to business
There’s light at the end of tunnel for the WRLtH project
The scheme was adopted by Government in
2012 and has been developed by Network Rail. 2019 is the year for key decisions to be made. Network Rail and DfT are soon to sign off the business case, which is known to be strong. Government must make a decision on how WRLtH will be funded and this is expected to include private sector contributions. Subject to an agreement on funding, Network Rail will submit a Development Consent Order application in August. Completion is projected for 2027. Stuart Elford, Chief Executive of Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, said: “This may be a short rail link 200 miles away, yet it will directly benefit our business and tourism economy and give leisure travellers improved access to the world. Together with neighbours in the South West, we are giving it our full support.” Despite the long lead time, members may
wish to build the opportunities created by the new route into their plans and, in the immediate future, boost the campaign by prompting MPs and Councils to give their support. Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce has
formed a Working Group to spearhead this campaign. It is commissioning an updated study to detail the economic benefits across the regions and working with a growing network of partners to secure a positive outcome. Paul Britton, Chief Executive of Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, added: “We are continually prompting MPs, local politicians, business colleagues, universities and the wider community about the benefits that WRLtH will bring to an estimated 14 million people and businesses.”
Visit:
www.thamesvalley.co.uk Summer 2019 Chamber Profile 27
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