Reading-Heathrow link 'top priority for region', MP says

The MP said 20% of the country's population could benefit from the link

Building a £900m rail link between Reading and Heathrow Airport is the “number one infrastructure priority” for the Thames Valley, an MP who supports the plan said.

The project, which would provide a link between the two with a stop in Slough, was put on hold indefinitely in 2020.

But Slough MP Tan Dhesi said the four-mile (6.5km) connection would benefit 20% of the UK’s population.

A Network Rail spokesperson said the project was closed because of “administrative reasons” but could be revived with a “satisfactory business case”.

Mr Dhesi said the link should remain a priority

Mr Dhesi set up an All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Western Rail Link to Heathrow in 2018, along with other Berkshire MPs.

Members included former Bracknell MP James Sunderland and current Reading Central MP Matt Rodda.

Mr Dhesi, a Labour MP, added: “Despite delays and funding challenges, the western rail link to Heathrow remains the number one priority for the Thames Valley Region.”

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Since the Conservative government promised to build it over a decade ago (to be finished by 2020), this nationally significant infrastructure project has been beset by delays and funding challenges, yet receives wide cross-party and local support from businesses and residents.”

He said the new government is “steadfast in its commitment to economic growth” as well as “enhancing our infrastructure and rail connectivity”.

The airport can still be reached by public transport from Berkshire.

It is accessible by taking the Elizabeth Line to Hayes and Harlington before catching a train to Heathrow.

Terminals 2 and 3 and terminal 4 can be accessed via the Elizabeth Line too.