Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Southern Heathrow Rail Link

22 July 2020 · 2 other contributors

Opened by Angela Richardson Con Guildford

EconomyTransport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Angela Richardson raised concerns about southern heathrow rail link in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about the complexity of the southern Heathrow rail link project, previously announced in 2018 by Chris Grayling.
  • The project aims to attract private sector investment to accelerate railway infrastructure development and reduce road congestion.
  • The Department is working with commercial advisers to develop financial models and seek private sector funding for the project.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Angela Richardson Con Guildford

It is my great pleasure to open this debate on the potential economic benefits of a southern Heathrow rail link. I believe that such a project fits with the Prime Minister's vision for a cleaner and smarter post-pandemic Britain, emphasising ambition and progress. This issue has been raised previously but remains unresolved due to its complexity. The most recent Government initiative was announced in 2018 by my right hon. Friend the Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) as part of a wider effort to attract private sector investment into railway infrastructure development, aiming to accelerate project delivery compared to traditional methods. I argue that now is the time to prioritise this southern rail link, not only due to its environmental benefits by reducing road congestion but also for its potential economic boost and job creation in areas like Guildford and Runnymede and Weybridge.

Other contributors (2)
  • Seema Malhotra Lab Feltham and Heston

    This debate is crucial as it aligns with my four-year engagement on the southern rail access to Heathrow. The project has a favourable benefit-cost ratio, indicating its viability for skilled job creation and greener infrastructure.

  • Flick Drummond Con Meon Valley

    A direct rail link from Guildford to Heathrow would significantly reduce travel times and alleviate traffic congestion, benefiting both my constituency and the environment.

Government Response

Chris Heaton-Harris

I thank everyone who contributed to this debate. The economic benefits of a southern Heathrow rail link are clear: it would reduce congestion, encourage public transport use over private vehicles, and support the aviation industry's recovery post-COVID-19. The project is in its infancy but showing good progress; my Department is working closely with commercial advisers to develop financial models and seek private sector involvement for funding and delivery. Challenges include safety concerns around level crossings and integration issues with existing infrastructure at Terminal 5 and on the south-west main line. However, there is strong market interest from the private sector, and we are collaborating with Network Rail and Heathrow Airport to ensure efficient design and delivery of the scheme. I look forward to working with all interested parties to advance this initiative.

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