Bristol could get a direct high-speed rail link to Heathrow Airport under a scheme being considered by the Government.
Transport Secretary Philip Hammond, pictured, is understood to have drafted fresh plans to build a spur line from the Great Western main line at Reading Station into the airport, possibly straight to Terminal 5.
The £500m project, which has been considered in the past but never given the green light, would allow trains operating on the main Cardiff-London line through Bristol Parkway to stop at Heathrow – achieving long-hoped ambitions for business leaders in the West for a direct connection to one of the world’s busiest airports.
The plan could cut journey times to Heathrow by at least 30 minutes, according to reports. At present rail passengers must either travel to London Paddington then change and take the Heathrow Express back to the airport, or get off at Reading and catch a bus.
The station at Heathrow, which could be built by 2021, would also link to the planned HS2 London-Birmingham line – although its route is fiercely opposed by campaigners, which could delay the project.
Reports of the Healthrow link follow the recently announced £1bn electrification of the Great Western line between Bristol and London. Councils in Bristol, Swindon and Cardiff – backed by the business community – lobbied hard for that plan to be brought forward after the Government put it on hold.
Some railway experts today said the Heathrow spur plan would more likely involve shuttle trains operating from Reading Station to Heathrow rather than direct services from Bristol stopping there.
However, the plan – in whatever form it takes – will be welcomed by business leaders across the region.
Philip Morton, left, director at property firm DTZ in Bristol, said it would provide a welcome boost to the regional economy.
“As well as removing the need for passengers to travel into London before heading out to the airport the scheme would also connect the West to the proposed HS2 high-speed rail link,” he said.
The scheme could also open up opportunities for inward investment to Bristol and allow access to international markets.
Recent research from DTZ predicts that occupancy costs are set to increase modestly over the next three to five years and Bristol, with its good supply of Grade A accommodation and deliverable development pipeline, was well placed to benefit from lower occupancy costs when compared to London and more expensive regional locations, he said.
“This proposal, combined with the Enterprise Zone planned for the area around Temple Meads station, is a positive indicator that Bristol is in a strong position to compete with other regional centres,” added Mr Morton.
