Western Rail Access To Heathrow (WRATH) - merged topics

[whole diary]

[stuving]

If you want to follow what going on - little though that may be just now - there are notes of project update meetings with NR^» (Network Rail - home page) on the Planning Inspectorate website. The are under "section 51 advice", since in theory NR are asking for the PI's approval of how they are proceeding. Currently, they are producing all the documents for the DCO^▸ (Development Consent Order, or Driver Controlled Operation (that is, operation and dispatch of the train solely by the driver even with another member of staff on board), depending on context) itself.

The latest dates - already out of date, in that the new scoping report hasn't visibly gone in - are from the 2nd October meeting:

Future programme

The Applicant stated that it expected to submit its new Scoping Report in November 2020. A second round of Statutory Consultation would follow in spring 2021 with the anticipated submission of the DCO application in November 2021. In respect of the new Scoping Report, the Inspectorate noted that advanced warning of the actual submission date would be welcomed. The Inspectorate reminded the Applicant that a shapefile must be submitted at least 10 days in advance of submission of the new Scoping Report.

The Applicant anticipated enabling works would commence in 2024, with the main works being carried out in 2025. In addition, the Applicant provided provisional dates for commissioning and operation of the Proposed Development of 2029 and 2030 respectively.

[Surrey 455]

From New Civil Engineer

A £900M western rail link to London's Heathrow Airport could be funded by the taxpayer, because the airport can no longer afford to stump up the cash.

Rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris has confirmed that he will ask the Treasury to pay for part of the line between Heathrow’s Terminal 5 and main railway line to the west of England and Wales.

The airport had agreed to pay for the majority of the transport link before withdrawing its pledge after a decline in revenue due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

NCE revealed in March that work on the scheme to provide west-facing direct rail access from the Great Western Mail Line (GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line)) to Heathrow Terminal 5 was being brought to a “controlled pause” due to a lack of funding.

[grahame]

An ancient thread back to life - for the cancellation of the Western Rail link . Perhaps I have missed a thread over the last few days?

Train project for direct link to Heathrow Airport withdrawn

Reading Chronicle at https://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/24506994.train-project-direct-link-heathrow-airport-withdrawn/

[ChrisB]

That went in the last Parliament

[stuving]

That went in the last Parliament

If not earlier!

Work on the pre-application phase of planning was put on hold in December 2020, though I can't find any note of that on the three WRaTH threads on this forum (that I've found - there may be others!).

Stopping work was not a formal planning step, so never recorded on the PI web site. In October 2023 they asked NR^» (Network Rail - home page):

It appears that no significant action has taken place on this project for some period of time and therefore, it would be extremely helpful if you could provide an update to confirm:
a) Whether the Applicant still intends to submit the application;
b) If so, any estimated timescales for doing so;
c) The point of contact (with their details) for this project.

NR didn't reply until prodded in May, when they said:

The project how now been stopped with no further funding to take it forward or future plans for funding in the pipeline from either Department for Transport or Heathrow Airport so please consider the project closed with no future submissions.

You might consider this a harbinger of Rachel Reeves' bonfire of the "Micawber" projects.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Work on the pre-application phase of planning was put on hold in December 2020, though I can't find any note of that on the three WRaTH threads on this forum (that I've found - there may be others!).

With many thanks for your post, stuving, I've now taken the hint and moved all three topics here.

I've also merged them, while retaining the original headings wherever possible.  This is now the definitive topic on WRATH. 

CfN. 

[CyclingSid]

Never say never? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1jlgyx2d17o

[TaplowGreen]

Never say never? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1jlgyx2d17o

Not really needed though is it?

With HEX, Elizabeth Line, Picadilly Line etc Heathrow is very well served.

Loads of coaches/buses too.

I'm sure better uses can be found for £900 million.

[grahame]

Never say never? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1jlgyx2d17o

Not really needed though is it?

With HEX, Elizabeth Line, Picadilly Line etc Heathrow is very well served.

Loads of coaches/buses too.

I'm sure better uses can be found for £900 million.

Rather sadly, I found myself sitting with a cup of coffee and idly being a crayonist and found myself wondering if something like this might have a case



I am aware that if I was serious I would be blighting a couple of factories and there would be some rises and falls (or falls and rises) as a level crossing over the A408 because of its inconvenience to road traffic would probably be ruled out 

[CyclingSid]

A local MP^▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post (a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London), depending on context) having his two pennyworth https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gv5vjp828o

You could say that the reporter demolishes part of the argument at the end.