AirTrack

SWELTRAC is generally supportive of proposals for the new AirTrack Network.

AirTrack is....

A proposal to connect Heathrow directly to the South West Trains Rail Network.
Comprises of three new services to Terminal 5: from London Waterloo via Richmond; Guildford via Woking and Reading via Bracknell, with stops at selected stations on each route.
Planned to operate every 30 minutes in each direction on each route, making six trains an hour from Heathrow, with end-to-end journey times of between 35 and 45 minutes.
To run over 95km of the existing rail network.
Going to require construction of just 4km of new railway to connect the new station at Terminal 5 to the existing Windsor line near Staines (to allow trains to access the existing line to Reading) and a new station on the Windsor Line at Staines High Street.
When completed, an opportunity for more rail service options in the future.

Create direct or one-change rail access to Heathrow for air passengers from across south and south west London and southern England, who currently have no rail link to the airport. CAA data (2006) shows approximately 22% of air passengers and 50% of staff live in areas that would have a direct rail service to Heathrow as a result of AirTrack.
Attract over 13 million passengers per annum, one third travelling to or from Heathrow.
Reduce local road congestion (5,000 fewer car journeys per day in the morning peak) and improve access for the thousands of people who work or want to work at Heathrow or the srrounding area.
Offer car users a realistic alternative in one of the most congested parts of the South East - especially for orbital journeys where public transport is currently poor.
Benefit businesses across the region by acting as a catalyst for new developments and improved labour mobility.
Provide more capacity on the suburban rail network, particularly to Waterloo, thus reducing crowding for existing passengers.

For further information, please visit the AirTrack Forum Website.