Heathrow 3rd Runway , should they include a rail tunnel?

[ACDC]

It appears the 3rd runway 3500m is going to be going ahead. From what I understand they are going to dig below the current M25 without closing it . Should they put some rail tunnels in at the same time to facilitate the link between Staines and Heathrow?

 

[JamesT]

It appears the 3rd runway 3500m is going to be going ahead. From what I understand they are going to dig below the current M25 without closing it . Should they put some rail tunnels in at the same time to facilitate the link between Staines and Heathrow?

The M25 would be diverted into some tunnels under the new runway. All the existing bits of Heathrow railway are already South of that, so how would tunnels under there help get to Staines which is South of Heathrow?

 

[gallafent]

The M25 would be diverted into some tunnels under the new runway. All the existing bits of Heathrow railway are already South of that, so how would tunnels under there help get to Staines which is South of Heathrow?

Yes, the southern link is in a different place. The tunnels for the proposed Heathrow Western Rail Link looks as if they would go _close_ to the third runway, geographically, but I imagine would be substantially deeper than the M25 tunnels anyway; a more-or-less independent project.

Wikipedia page of the Heathrow Western Rail Link

The proposed route is a new 5.5-kilometre (3.4-mile) railway line that would leave the Great Western Main Line between Langley and Iver before entering a new twin-bore tunnel. The tunnel would pass under Richings Park and Colnbrook and then join existing lines at Heathrow Terminal 5.[15]

The Western Rail Approach is, according to the Airport Expansion Consultation, designed to be "independent yet compatible" with the Heathrow expansion.[17][18]

 

[Chuffing Heck]

I always thought that HS2 should have a platform at Heathrow, HS1 and Gatwick that would make it a proper transportation hub.

 

[JonathanH]

It appears the 3rd runway 3500m is going to be going ahead. From what I understand they are going to dig below the current M25 without closing it . Should they put some rail tunnels in at the same time to facilitate the link between Staines and Heathrow?

Regardless of where the additional runway is built, the additional terminal capacity was envisaged to be over the existing Heathrow Express line.

 

[Stewart2887]

Not more M25 roadwork speed restrictions. The developers/builders/Heathrow Airport should compensate motorway users

 

[RUK]

The third runway and the associated new Terminals T5X and T5X North look to be quite far away from the current Terminals, so will the new Terminals mean that the Terminal 5 rail branches for heavy rail and the Piccadilly line get extended to a new station for T5X North?

 

[HSTEd]

This project is already probably unworkable as it is, without trying to fit more rail infrastructure into it.

Its an extraordinarily expensive and disruptive project for comparatively minor gains.

I am skeptical Heathrow will ever attempt it, at least without a giant bung of public money.

 

[SynthD]

The southern and western links go under the T5 westward expansion. That should be dealt with by Heathrow contributing, maybe building them. But at a minimum, I hopefully expect the government to ensure the foundations aren’t in the way, as with Crossrail 2 in central London. The path of the western link to Langley passes around the end of the new runway. They can’t tunnel under an active runway, but maybe they could make a cut and cover tunnel in that section for the future railway.

will the new Terminals mean that the Terminal 5 rail branches for heavy rail and the Piccadilly line get extended to a new station for T5X North?

If it is airside only, then the Heathrow T5 Passenger Transit system will expand to cover the north building.

 

[Bald Rick]

The Heathrow Western Rail Link was planned to be in tunnel almost the whole way, including in the vicinity of the third runway.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Nov 2025 ==

They can’t tunnel under an active runway

“They” can. How do you think the existing railways into Heathrow were built?

 

[SynthD]

“They” can. How do you think the existing railways into Heathrow were built?

Older rules? Yes, too much guesswork on my part.

 

[Mgameing123]

I always thought that HS2 should have a platform at Heathrow, HS1 and Gatwick that would make it a proper transportation hub.

I believe my idea for HS3 should rather serve Heathrow Central or T5.

HS3 Paddington to Newport

I know it’s too early for it but how could a potential HS3 to the West look like. Currently the Great Western Mainline is at capacity between Reading and Paddington mainly because of the Elizabeth Line is hopefully this new line could divert existing GWR trains on the new line. My vision would...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[ACDC]

My main concern is cost overuns and rail and aviation not speaking.

 

[Topological]

If there are any provisions required then those should be made.

Heathrow would benefit greatly from the Staines connection. I do believe HS2 should have had a branch to Heathrow. However, I am less convinced by the Western link now Old Oak Common will be an effective interchange with GWR.

 

[Mag_seven]

I've always thought that permission to build a third runway should be dependant on a southwestern (Staines) and western rail link being constructed as well. Ideally HS2 should also have served Heathrow but that ship has now sailed.

 

[ACDC]

I've always thought that permission to build a third runway should be dependant on a southwestern (Staines) and western rail link being constructed as well. Ideally HS2 should also have served Heathrow but that ship has now sailed.

Staines is poorly connected by public transport to LHR. By road you can be at T5 in less than 10 mins, 5 mins in the evening with no traffic. There's no TfL buses and only a minibus masquerading as a bus that uses the motorway. I think TfL should at least have some kind of bus service serving Wraysbury and Staines to Heathrow. Maybe have a superloop Kingston to Heathrow via Staines?

 

[camflyer]

I've always thought that permission to build a third runway should be dependant on a southwestern (Staines) and western rail link being constructed as well. Ideally HS2 should also have served Heathrow but that ship has now sailed.

Once Old Oak Common is operational then a Western rail becomes less important (though still desirable) but the Southern link is going to be essential

 

[Sad Sprinter]

Staines is poorly connected by public transport to LHR. By road you can be at T5 in less than 10 mins, 5 mins in the evening with no traffic. There's no TfL buses and only a minibus masquerading as a bus that uses the motorway. I think TfL should at least have some kind of bus service serving Wraysbury and Staines to Heathrow. Maybe have a superloop Kingston to Heathrow via Staines?

You could probably do a full Underground Line from Croydon to Heathrow via Kingston. The County Line perhaps? Or does it have to be named after - oh never mind

 

[SynthD]

I think TfL should at least have some kind of bus service serving Wraysbury and Staines to Heathrow. Maybe have a superloop Kingston to Heathrow via Staines?

SL7 from Croydon stops at Kingston and passes near Feltham. Staines and Wraysbury aren’t in London, there’s a few non TfL buses in that area to consider.

 

[ACDC]

SL7 from Croydon stops at Kingston and passes near Feltham. Staines and Wraysbury aren’t in London, there’s a few non TfL buses in that area to consider.

But there are a lot of workers that live outside London that work in Heathrow. The economic benefits don't just benefit London, they benefit counties that are adjacent. There should be some kind of superloop bus that incorporates Staines. It's less than 2 miles from Hounslow and Hillingdon boroughs. The high street has bus stops with TfL logos. An outsider would not be mistaken to think they are in London.

 

[Mgameing123]

But there are a lot of workers that live outside London that work in Heathrow. The economic benefits don't just benefit London, they benefit counties that are adjacent. There should be some kind of superloop bus that incorporates Staines. It's less than 2 miles from Hounslow and Hillingdon boroughs. The high street has bus stops with TfL logos. An outsider would not be mistaken to think they are in London.

I agree. Staines Council should work together with TFL and the Mayor to help fund such a route. Perhaps an extension of SL9?

 

[Jim James]

Staines is poorly connected by public transport to LHR. By road you can be at T5 in less than 10 mins, 5 mins in the evening with no traffic. There's no TfL buses and only a minibus masquerading as a bus that uses the motorway. I think TfL should at least have some kind of bus service serving Wraysbury and Staines to Heathrow. Maybe have a superloop Kingston to Heathrow via Staines?

X442 goes to Heathrow

 

[ACDC]

X442 goes to Heathrow

it's not a TfL service and more costly. It's not as frequent either.

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

SL7 from Croydon stops at Kingston and passes near Feltham. Staines and Wraysbury aren’t in London, there’s a few non TfL buses in that area to consider.

The SL7 does not actually stop anywhere in Feltham. I have proposed a short diversion to stop at Feltham station restoring the express bus connection that used to exist between the station and airport. It would be a very short diversion off the A312 following the 285 route back onto the A312 using the existing Feltham station bus stops.