A second round of consultations on the preferred option for the Western Rail Link to Heathrow are due to begin on February 23.
Residents and businesses across the west, south west and Thames Valley are being urged to share their views on Network Rail's updated plans for the proposed new link connecting the west to Heathrow Airport.
Following the first-round of consultations in February last year, a team has been modifying plans based on the feedback, and has come up with a preferred option.
They have carried out ground investigation work and environmental surveys; refined the exact location for the tunnel; assessed different design options; as well as investigating the construction process and reducing impact on neighbouring communities.
Now, Network Rail is once again asking people for feedback on the preferred option in order to develop an even more detailed design.
The proposal, subject to planning permission, includes a 5km tunnel from the Great Western Main Line to Heathrow Terminal 5, travelling through Reading, Twyford, Maidenhead and Slough, without the need to change at Paddington station relieving congestion at the central station.
The faster journey times mean passengers from Reading will reach the airport in 26 minutes and from Slough in seven minutes, also helping businesses across the Thames Valley, M4 corridor, south west and beyond.
Views wanted
Mark Langman, Network Rail’s managing director for the Western route, said: “The Great Western Main Line is undergoing the biggest modernisation programme since the Victorian era and so it’s really important that in developing our plans for the Heathrow link, we take this extensive improvement work into account.
“Given how useful we found the feedback from the first round of events, we also want to ensure we capture the views of every stakeholder, business and community along the proposed route. This invaluable information will help put us in the best possible position to receive planning consent for the scheme.”
The proposed rail link will leave the Great Western Main Line at a new junction between Langley and Iver station and link in with existing railway platforms at Heathrow Terminal 5.
It will provide the capacity for four trains per hour from Reading to Heathrow via Slough, with alternate services calling at Twyford and Maidenhead.
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “Western Rail Access would transform the way one million passengers from Slough and Reading, as well as those further west of Heathrow travel to the airport.
"This rail line, along with Crossrail, HS2 through Old Oak common, and Southern Rail Access will get three million more people onto public transport, reduce the amount of vehicles and congestion on local road networks, and ultimately improve air quality in our area.”
The second phase of the public consultation will take place between February 23 and March 12, with the final date for feedback on April 4.
A planning application for the scheme will be submitted by the end of 2017.
Network Rail’s public consultation event details:
Richings Park Golf Club, North Park, Iver, Buckinghamshire SL0 9DL
Tue Feb 23 from 1pm – 5pm
Wed Feb 24 from 1pm – 5pm
Richings Sports Park, Wellesley Ave, Iver, Buckinghamshire SL0 9BN
Thu Feb 25 from 12pm – 4pm
Colnbrook Village Hall, Vicarage Way, Colnbrook, SL3 0RF
Sat Feb 27 from 12pm – 4pm
Iver Pavilion Iver Recreation Ground, Saxon Court, Iver, Buckinghamshire SL0 9PW
Mon Feb 29 from 4pm – 8pm
Tue Mar 1 from 12pm – 4pm
Wed Mar 2 from 12pm – 4pm
Langley Pavilion, Langley Road, Slough, Berkshire SL3 8BS
Thu Mar 3 from 12pm – 4pm
Fri Mar 4 from 4pm – 8pm
Horsemoor Green Community Centre, Common Road, Slough, Berkshire SL3 8JU
Mon Mar 7 from 12pm – 4pm
Tue Mar 8 from 12pm – 4pm
Wed Mar 9 from 4pm – 8pm
Colnbrook Westfield Centre, Severn Crescent, Slough, SL3 8UX
Thu Mar 10 from 12pm – 4pm
Sat Mar 12 from 12pm – 4pm
