News
Heathrow 'could get rail link to Paris'
04 December 2007
An influential engineering firm is drawing up plans for a rail link that could bring Heathrow within two-and-a-half hours of Paris by train.
The proposal is set to be made by Arup, a respected organisation within the engineering sector, which led the scheme to route the Channel Tunnel via east London in the 1980s.
As yet no government ratification of the plans has been given, although more public reaction could emerge later this week following the formal announcement of the proposals.
One of the potential benefits of a convenient rail link between Heathrow and Paris could be a freeing up of capacity at Heathrow owing to lower demand 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 expansion of Heathrow, with transport secretary Ruth Kelly saying that the hub's status as a world class airport will be 'gradually eroded' if the capacity situation does not change.
Click here to plan and book flights, hotels, city breaks, rental cars and holidays with Opodo.
© Adfero Ltd
The proposal is set to be made by Arup, a respected organisation within the engineering sector, which led the scheme to route the Channel Tunnel via east London in the 1980s.
As yet no government ratification of the plans has been given, although more public reaction could emerge later this week following the formal announcement of the proposals.
One of the potential benefits of a convenient rail link between Heathrow and Paris could be a freeing up of capacity at Heathrow owing to lower demand 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 expansion of Heathrow, with transport secretary Ruth Kelly saying that the hub's status as a world class airport will be 'gradually eroded' if the capacity situation does not change.
Click here to plan and book flights, hotels, city breaks, rental cars and holidays with Opodo.
© Adfero Ltd
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