Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will ensure that surface rail access, including the Southern Rail Link and the Western Rail Link, are non-negotiable conditions as part of the assessment of promoted schemes for Heathrow Airport.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the vital role that surface access will play as part of any future expansion of Heathrow Airport. As part of the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), launched on 22 October 2025, we will consider the transport infrastructure required to support a third runway, including rail connectivity and mode share targets.
While it would not be appropriate to pre-empt the outcome of the ANPS review at this stage, I can say it will be the responsibility of any expansion promoter to set out a surface access strategy demonstrating how they will meet the requirements set out in the ANPS.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her department holds on the potential benefit of the (a) construction and (b) operation of a western rail link to Heathrow Airport on (i) trends in the level of economic growth (ii) the environment and (iii) civil society.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The economic and societal benefits of a western rail link to Heathrow Airport were previously assessed as part of a business case development process which concluded in 2021. No further work to assess the benefits of a rail link has been undertaken by DfT since then, as Heathrow expansion plans were not progressed at the time. Given changes in commuter and leisure travel patterns and the wider economy since that time, the benefits of any such scheme will need to be revisited. Any promoter is expected to develop a clear surface access strategy as part of their expansion plans, and any necessary surface access improvements will be financed through private funding.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of constructing a western rail link to Heathrow Airport on (a) railway capacity on the Great Western Mainline between Paddington and Iver, (b) passenger numbers at Paddington station and (c) car use.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Any assessment of the impacts described would need to be carried out by the promoters of the Western Rail Link to Heathrow if it were to be required to support the expansion of the airport.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on the potential impact of constructing a western rail link to Heathrow airport on the Government's net zero targets.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
I am advised that no discussions have taken place between the Secretary of State for Transport and the Secretary of State for Energy, Security and Net Zero relating to the construction of a western rail link to Heathrow.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Civil Aviation Authority has undertaken any recent work with (a) her Department, (b) Heathrow Airport, (c) Network Rail and (d) others to make progress on the construction of a Western Rail Link to Heathrow.
Answered by Mike Kane
Since plans for expansion were paused in 2020, the CAA has not conducted any work in relation to a Western Rail link to Heathrow. Should any such plans emerge as part of fresh proposals for Heathrow expansion, the CAA would review the elements of those plans relevant to its role as economic regulator of Heathrow in accordance with its statutory duties.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has had recent discussions with representatives of (a) Heathrow Airport, (b) Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and (c) Network Rail on a potential western rail link to Heathrow.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Officials from my Department met with representatives of the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce during the summer to discuss the business case for the Western Rail Link to Heathrow. There have not been recent meetings with Heathrow Airport Ltd and Network Rail about the scheme.
Asked by: Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat - Wokingham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of a western rail link to Heathrow Airport.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government is considering its position on future rail investment in the context of our critical missions and the availability of public finances.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of building the Western Rail Link to Heathrow.
Answered by Huw Merriman
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. However, we need to ensure that the projects we take forward reflect the changed shape of rail demand and are affordable. I understand that the promoters of a Western rail link continue to update their proposals.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of building the Western Rail Link to Heathrow on economic growth.
Answered by Huw Merriman
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.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Government supports the proposed Western Rail Link to Heathrow.
Answered by Huw Merriman
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.