Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of building the Western Rail Link to Heathrow.

This Government remains committed to improving rail access to Heathrow Airport and recognises the importance of the improved rail connectivity that a Western rail link could provide. We need to ensure that the projects we take forward reflect the changed shape of rail demand and are affordable. Following the Autumn Statement on 17 November we are in the process of reviewing the Rail National Enhancements Portfolio and will make the outcome public once that work is complete.