BAA to consult on Heathrow rail plans

BAA is to launch consultations with experts and local residents on its plans to build a new rail link at Heathrow Airport, it has announced.

Plans for Heathrow Airtrack will first be submitted to consultants who will advise on their environmental and technical feasibility.

Local residents and other interested groups will then be asked to give their opinions on the proposals, which would see the airport linked to the south-west rail network.

A new connection would be constructed between Heathrow and Staines, while services to the rest of the network would run via Waterloo, Guildford and Reading.

BAA's general manager for rail, Mike Noakes, said: "We are absolutely committed to keeping local residents informed and involved during the Heathrow Airtrack development process.

"We have a good record of working with our local communities on projects such as Terminal 5 and Heathrow East and are determined to maintain that record on Heathrow Airtrack."

Before it can begin construction on the new rail link BAA will need to submit a transport and works act application, which has been necessary for new transport schemes since 1992.