MP raises Heathrow expansion transport concerns

## Summary
MP raises Heathrow expansion transport concerns 5 minutes ago Share Save Katie Waple South of England Share Save Heathrow Airport Heathrow is planning a third runway, 3.5km (2.2 miles) in length An MP has said he is "firmly" against the planned expansion of Heathrow but is a "big advocate" of a new rail link to the airport. Conservative MP for Windsor in Berkshire, Jack Rankin, whose constituency is close to the airport said: "Fundamentally, I do not believe that there is space in our infrastructure locally." The airport and the government have said expansion was "urgent" as Heathrow was currently working at capacity. He said: "I am against the expansion of the third runway but we must acknowledge the economic importance for those living and working in Berkshire. "It's not just a runway, it's terminal buildings, it's hotels, it's car parks, it all creates jobs. "However, if you think about the local area in terms of traffic, development infrastructure, noise and pollution most people in our area think those things are already at capacity." Business groups have said the expansion would bring benefits for businesses and exporters, by opening up access to markets and encouraging investment. A Heathrow spokesperson previously said: "We remain committed to making journeys to Heathrow easier and more sustainable. "That's why we're continuing to explore options for a new rail link from the west, which would offer faster, direct connections from the West of England and South Wales to the airport." More on this story Heathrow plan 'will impact air quality progress' Heathrow's plan for longer third runway chosen by government Heathrow Airport's expansion plans to cost £49bn 'Heathrow should be expanded without moving M25' 'Heathrow runway change will make our village unliveable' Related Links Heathrow Airport Berkshire Heathrow Airport expansion London Heathrow Airport Environment Air pollution

## Article Content
MP raises Heathrow expansion transport concerns
5 minutes ago
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Katie Waple
South of England
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Heathrow Airport
Heathrow is planning a third runway, 3.5km (2.2 miles) in length
An MP has said he is "firmly" against the planned expansion of Heathrow but is a "big advocate" of a new rail link to the airport.
Heathrow's proposed
£49bn expansion
includes the creation of a third runway and would require a diversion of the M25, and a new road tunnel under the airport.
Conservative MP for Windsor in Berkshire, Jack Rankin, whose constituency is close to the airport said: "Fundamentally, I do not believe that there is space in our infrastructure locally."
The airport and the government have said expansion was "urgent" as Heathrow was currently working at capacity.
Windsor MP Jack Rankin sat in the BBC Berkshire hot seat
Speaking on BBC Radio Berkshire's hotseat, Rankin said the economic benefits for Berkshire from the airport expansion were outweighed by the downsides for the county.
Rankin explained many of his constituents live under the Heathrow flight path and were worried about aircraft noise as well as traffic congestion.
He said: "I am against the expansion of the third runway but we must acknowledge the economic importance for those living and working in Berkshire.
"It's not just a runway, it's terminal buildings, it's hotels, it's car parks, it all creates jobs.
"However, if you think about the local area in terms of traffic, development infrastructure, noise and pollution most people in our area think those things are already at capacity."
Business groups have said the expansion would bring benefits for businesses and exporters, by opening up access to markets and encouraging investment.
Reuters
London Heathrow is the biggest and busiest airport in the UK, handling more than 83m passengers annually
The chief executive of Heathrow Airport, Thomas Woldbye previously said expansion was "urgent" as the airport was currently working at capacity.
Chancellor, Rachel Reeves announced
renewed support for the third runway
in January 2025, with ministers looking to advance plans by 2029.
She said at the time it would "make Britain the world's best connected place to do business".
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Rankin said he supported the idea of a western rail link, adding that it would ease some of the local concerns.
Network Rail's plans for a link between Reading and Heathrow Airport were put on hold indefinitely in December 2020 due to planning and cost.
The plan included a building a new tunnel which would cut Reading to Heathrow journey times to 20-30 minutes.
Rankin said: "The rail link might see more people coming by public transport than road, which might alleviate some of the traffic problems."
Currently, those travelling to Heathrow by train have to go to London Paddington and catch the Heathrow Express.
He said many MPs in the Berkshire area are advocating for the rail link but there was a "debate about is who is going to pay for it".
A Heathrow spokesperson previously said: "We remain committed to making journeys to Heathrow easier and more sustainable.
"That's why we're continuing to explore options for a new rail link from the west, which would offer faster, direct connections from the West of England and South Wales to the airport."
More on this story
Heathrow plan 'will impact air quality progress'
Heathrow's plan for longer third runway chosen by government
Heathrow Airport's expansion plans to cost £49bn
'Heathrow should be expanded without moving M25'
'Heathrow runway change will make our village unliveable'
Related Links
Heathrow Airport
Berkshire
Heathrow Airport expansion
London Heathrow Airport
Environment
Air pollution

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- A Heathrow spokesperson previously said: "We remain committed to making journeys to Heathrow easier and more sustainable. "That's why we're continuing to explore options for a new rail link from the west, which would offer faster, direct connections from the West of England and South Wales to the airport." More on this story Heathrow plan 'will impact air quality progress' Heathrow's plan for longer third runway chosen by government Heathrow Airport's expansion plans to cost £49bn 'Heathrow should be expanded without moving M25' 'Heathrow runway change will make our village unliveable' Related Links Heathrow Airport Berkshire Heathrow Airport expansion London Heathrow Airport Environment Air pollution

### Areas for Consideration
N/A

### Implications
- Rankin said: "The rail link might see more people coming by public transport than road, which might alleviate some of the traffic problems." Currently, those travelling to Heathrow by train have to go to London Paddington and catch the Heathrow Express.
- A Heathrow spokesperson previously said: "We remain committed to making journeys to Heathrow easier and more sustainable. "That's why we're continuing to explore options for a new rail link from the west, which would offer faster, direct connections from the West of England and South Wales to the airport." More on this story Heathrow plan 'will impact air quality progress' Heathrow's plan for longer third runway chosen by government Heathrow Airport's expansion plans to cost £49bn 'Heathrow should be expanded without moving M25' 'Heathrow runway change will make our village unliveable' Related Links Heathrow Airport Berkshire Heathrow Airport expansion London Heathrow Airport Environment Air pollution

### Expert Commentary
This article covers heathrow, airport, expansion topics. Notable strengths include discussion of heathrow. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 615.