EUROSTAR trains could run into Heathrow if the Government gives the go-ahead to proposals put together by BAA, British Airways and Railtrack.
The trio have signed a memorandum of understanding to implement a £170m project called Airtrack to improve rail networks into Heathrow.
The scheme calls for direct links to the airport from London’s Waterloo and Victoria stations, via Clapham Junction.
A BAA spokeswoman said part of the plan could involve Eurostar services going direct into Heathrow, or from Waterloo.
BA, which is a 10% shareholder in the Eurostar consortium, is keen to use the train operator’s services more effectively to offset its losses on short-haul services from Europe. BA has said it will reduce Paris and Brussels air capacity to boost Eurostar numbers.
Half of the project costs will be spent by Railtrack on upgrading existing and disused lines to Heathrow’s terminals from central London, Reading, Woking, Guildford and Staines.
The rest of the £170m will be spent by BAA on improving Heathrow’s terminal stations. BAwill also lend support to the terminal improvement. The airline intends to capitalise on the success of its station check-ins at Paddington and Victoria with new, non-airport, full check-in facilities.
BA director of operations planning Gwilym Rees-Jones said: “We will be looking at opportunities to provide check-in facilities at rail stations served by Airtrack, similar to that recently opened at Paddington.”
However, BAA director rail strategy Paul Le Blond said BAA’s £450m investment in Heathrow Express has made the Airtrack plan a viable option.
Airtrack’s partners are undertaking a feasibility study with local authorities to explore ways of taking the scheme forward. The Government is backing the plan, which is expected to be completed by 2006. BAA said Labour’s backing for Terminal 5 would help Airtrack’s implementation, but it was not dependent on the terminal.
EUROSTAR trains could run into Heathrow if the Government gives the go-ahead to proposals put together by BAA, British Airways and Railtrack.
The trio have signed a memorandum of understanding to implement a £170m project called Airtrack to improve rail networks into Heathrow.
The scheme calls for direct links to the airport from London’s Waterloo and Victoria stations, via Clapham Junction.
A BAA spokeswoman said part of the plan could involve Eurostar services going direct into Heathrow, or from Waterloo.
BA, which is a 10% shareholder in the Eurostar consortium, is keen to use the train operator’s services more effectively to offset its losses on short-haul services from Europe. BA has said it will reduce Paris and Brussels air capacity to boost Eurostar numbers.
Half of the project costs will be spent by Railtrack on upgrading existing and disused lines to Heathrow’s terminals from central London, Reading, Woking, Guildford and Staines.
The rest of the £170m will be spent by BAA on improving Heathrow’s terminal stations. BAwill also lend support to the terminal improvement. The airline intends to capitalise on the success of its station check-ins at Paddington and Victoria with new, non-airport, full check-in facilities.
BA director of operations planning Gwilym Rees-Jones said: “We will be looking at opportunities to provide check-in facilities at rail stations served by Airtrack, similar to that recently opened at Paddington.”
However, BAA director rail strategy Paul Le Blond said BAA’s £450m investment in Heathrow Express has made the Airtrack plan a viable option.
Airtrack’s partners are undertaking a feasibility study with local authorities to explore ways of taking the scheme forward. The Government is backing the plan, which is expected to be completed by 2006. BAA said Labour’s backing for Terminal 5 would help Airtrack’s implementation, but it was not dependent on the terminal.