Upgrade forms part of wider plans to improve train services to airport
BAA has announced it is to spend more than GBP30 million upgrading rail services to Heathrow airport.
The new service, which is expected to be completed and ready for service in December 2004, will allow passengers to connect to the existing Paddington-to-Heathrow service at Ealing Broadway station. The Financial Times reports that BAA has wanted to provide the service for some years, and that the project has now won the backing of the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA).
It predicts that the new link could help to lessen road and underground rail congestion around Heathrow; and notes that the project forms part of BAA’s wider plans to increase train services to the airport over the next few years – and particularly for the opening of the long-awaited fifth terminal at the airport.
The FT states that the link will be run as a joint venture with whichever company wins the Thames Train 2004-2006 franchise; the SRA is currently looking at bids from First Great Western and Thames Trains.
