Private companies have been asked to come forward with ideas to
deliver a new southern rail link to Heathrow Airport.
The link will be one of the first projects under government
plans to invite third parties – such as local authorities
and private sector companies - to invest in the rail
network, over and above the £47 billion the government is already
planning for the next five years.
A call for ideas on market-led proposals to enhance the nation’s
railways was launched today (March 20) by Transport Secretary
. There are already a
number of consortia looking to construct the southern link to
Heathrow.
Access to the UK’s busiest airport is just one example of
ambitious proposals that would generate significant improvements
for passengers across the entire network, creating a new tier of
investment in rail infrastructure from the private sector.
Proposed schemes would need to make commercial sense, build on
the government’s significant investment in rail infrastructure
and have the needs of passengers at their heart, without the
over-arching need for government support.
Mr Grayling said:
“We are investing in the most significant modernisation of the UK
rail network since Victorian times, and I want the knowledge and
expertise of investors and local partners to contribute to
delivering new connections, more services and better journeys for
passengers.
“This has already proved effective on a number of roads schemes
in the UK. By encouraging innovative ideas and new investment on
our railways, we can relieve the burden on taxpayers and fare
payers with projects that match our transport needs. This can
also support our economic and housing aspirations to ensure
everyone benefits from an enhanced rail network.
“Heathrow is a perfect example of where this can make a real
difference. Such schemes will help ensure the benefits of our
major international hub are even more accessible to those across
the west and south of the UK, providing vital links for
travellers and exporters and attracting inward investment.”
Today, the government also set out a new
process for ensuring that taxpayer-funded rail projects are
planned and scrutinised more effectively in the future.
As part of the new Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline, new rail
schemes will be decided on in a staged – develop, design,
deliver – approach to allow for greater assessment of feasibility
and value for money.
The Department is also continuing to work on developing plans for
a Western rail access to Heathrow.