Heathrow Airport: South West Main Line
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement, of June 2026, what steps are being taken by her department and its agencies to support the Heathrow Southern Railway proposal to link South West Rail to Heathrow.
Answered by Keir Mather
The Government recognises the importance of surface access to any future expansion of Heathrow Airport.
The draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement states that enhanced rail connectivity is necessary to support expansion and achieve public transport mode share targets. It requires any expansion promoter to set out in its surface access strategy, required as part of the development consent process, the rail enhancements it proposes to deliver, together with a credible delivery plan and how any necessary schemes will be financed, developed with Network Rail and other relevant stakeholders.
The Government has not identified a preferred rail scheme, giving promoters flexibility to develop proposals that support their wider surface access strategy. The Strategic Vision for Transport to an Expanded Heathrow sets out the criteria expected of new transport infrastructure, including improving access to areas without direct rail connections to the airport.
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