Meeting documents

The Committee was provided with a presentation from Ruth Leuillete and Malcolm Armstrong from Network Rail on the proposed improvement of Rail Links to Heathrow Airport from the West.

The proposal was for a new direct rail link from the west to Heathrow, providing a step change in journeys to Britain’s busiest airport through fast, frequent and reliable train services. This would be a nationally Significant Infrastructure Project and would require the submission of a Development Consent Order for planning permission

Members were informed that the proposal was not dependent on future possible airport expansion.

Design was progressing following extensive consultationto optimise the route and design solution. Network Rail was working with the Department for Transport and Heathrow Airport Limited. There was currently funding for development with further funding being subject to a satisfactory business case.

The potential benefits for a new rail link would be improved accessibility to Heathrow Airport from the south coast, the south west, south Wales and the West Midlands. Reduced congestion on Major Roads such as M4, M3 and M25 as well as reduced congestion at London Paddington.

There would a boost to the economy with significant effects to the Thames Valley and further afield. Reference was made to Reading station being rebuilt to enable the handling of more trains services, which included the new rail link to Heathrow. There would be significant train journey times saved compared to the current services from Slough to Heathrow.

The Committee was provided with the final plans which had been subject to intensive public consultation.   The proposals would consist of approximately 6km of new rail infrastructure. There would be 3 access shafts, above ground, along the route.

The proposal would connect to the existing infrastructure, including facilities already built at Heathrow Terminal 5. Reference was also made to other projects which needed to be taken into consideration:

·       Proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport

·       CEMEX mineral extraction

·       Proposals for southern rail access to Heathrow

·       Highways England ‘Smart Motorways’ on M4 and M25.

With the proposals, 92% of journey times from Slough to Heathrow Terminal would be reduced, with 76% of journey times saved for car trips.

Details of the engineering and construction requirements were explained to Members with particular emphasis on the likely option of highways modelling at Hollow Hill Lane in Iver which would be a part of South Bucks which would be adversely affected.

In relation to the overall Highways modelling, there was a required proportionate approach to mitigations and it was reported that this would be based on data outputs from modelling. There would be a full assessment of the construction effects and the full scheme at completion.

In relation to the Cemex agreement there would be a commitment to a shared site which would result in decreased HGV impact (instead of 1400 HGV movements a month, proposed reduction to 400 HGV movements per month).

With regard to the proposed Hollow Hill Lane Closure, model outputs would assess traffic flow, noise and air quality impacts. Modelling demonstrated worse case scenarios i.e. robust case. Mitigation details proposed by the project would be subject to discussion with relevant local authority officers.

Over the whole route, most affected junctions identified from the strategic model would then be assessed at a local level to identify mitigations. The likely anticipated options for consideration would be highway improvements to most affected junctions.

In 2019 the outline business case had to be submitted to the Department for Transport, funding commitment for the scheme had to be secured and Development Consent Orders had to be submitted to secure planning permission.

In 2022, once funding and planning permission had been secured, construction would take five years.

Members discussed the impact of the proposals on residents of South Bucks and Network Rail was asked to provide details of the consultations which have taken place with affected local authorities. Officers from Network Rail reported that there had been some joint meetings, and also separate meetings with local authorities but they would consider having all meetings as joint in the future to ensure joined up thinking and working took place.

Particular discussion took place on the works which were planned for Hollow Hill Lane, Iver, and Network Rail was asked whether Bucks County Council as the Highway Authority, and South Bucks District Council had been consulted, in terms of the traffic and highway impact on residents around Hollow Hill Lane.

Network Rail reported that they had used transport data from Slough Borough Council to undertake the impact assessment and they had been satisfied that this was robust data.  Network Rail was made aware that traffic data from Bucks County Council for Iver had been used for purposes of the South Bucks Local Plan and they were asked to give consideration to this data as it should be as robust as the Slough data.

Members also asked for details of the other junctions which would be affected to enable feedback from Bucks County Council and South Bucks District Council. Members expressed a view that they did not perceive Network Rail had sufficient mitigation plans for the permanent closure of Hollow Hill Lane, based on the experience of when it was closed for a temporary period.  They should not be expecting the local authorities to pick up significant costs to mitigate the effects of their project

The Committee expressed concern at Network Rail not consulting with all relevant local authorities affected by the proposals, particularly in relation to the impact the proposal would have on the highways and roads around the rail link at Hollow Hill Lane, Iver. It was asked that the relevant Cabinet Member be informed of these concerns. 

RESOLVED – That Network Rail be thanked for their presentation and the relevant Cabinet Member be informed of this Committee’s concerns with regard to the lack of consultation with Bucks County Council and this Council by Network Rail on aspects of the proposed rail link to Heathrow Airport from the west, particularly in relation to the highway impact on Hollow Hill Lane, Iver.