Plans to link Heathrow to Paris

Heathrow Airport passengers could find themselves with a wider choice of options for travel to Europe in the future, with plans drawn up for a rail service linking the hub to Paris.

Influential engineering firm Arup is set to launch the proposals, which could bring Heathrow within two-and-a-half hours of Paris by train.

The plans are still at an embryonic stage, however, and have no official government backing.

A rail service offering a quick and convenient connection between Heathrow Airport and Paris could have a beneficial effect on capacity at the hub as it would reduce the need for short-haul flights to Europe.

Arup director Mark Bostock said: "There is total logic in seeing how Heathrow can be connected to the national and international rail network.

"This is fundamental to the sustainable development of the airport and would be a step-change beyond BAA's extremely modest ambitions for shifting passengers from road to rail."

Last month the government launched a public consultation on plans to build a third runway and sixth terminal at Heathrow, which would enable the airport to handle up to 700,000 flights a year.