- Council provides funds to help small businesses
- Financial help for keeping warm this winter
- Improve your health at York House
- Heathrow's airtrack train plan criticised
- Have your own say on Academies
- Mayor's Christmas invite
- Net closing on Council Tax cheats
- Step pedal jump your way to rugby!
- Borough has the lowest level of alcohol fueled crimes in London
- Play safe at Halloween warning
- Enjoy a week of entertainment at Heathfield centre
- Spreading the safety message
- New funding agreed to combat the recession
- Support your local lollipop person
- Disappointment as Boris' public transport costs rise
- Ham and Petersham win £100,000 for low carbon zone
- Borough children's favourite nursery rhyme revealed on Bookstart Day
- Eastender at East Sheen Library
- Destination Richmond
- Green fingers win prizes for winning allotments
- Free flood warnings for residents at risk in Richmond
- Huge turnout for older people's event
- RISE event success
- Best Cemetery Award for Richmond and East Sheen
- Take part in Black History Month celebrations
- World Sight Day celebrated
- Question time comes to Richmond
- 2M fears local people may loose out to Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC)
- 1,000 people control their social care budgets
- £2.85 million for new homes
- Richmond Council confirms sponsor for Shene Academy
- Richmond Council extends CO2 parking
Release Date:
Heathrow Airport’s proposed Airtrack scheme for fast transport of passengers to central London by train has been criticised by Richmond Council, which says the plan would lead to tailbacks and disruption across local communities as level crossings would be shut for longer every day.
Earlier this year, the Council called for a full public inquiry into Heathrow Airtrack Limited’s (HAL’s) proposals, and it has now welcomed Transport Secretary Lord Adonis’ agreement that they should be fully investigated.
The Council’s Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking, Cllr David Trigg, said: “Running more fast trains along the borough’s existing rail lines would mean the four level crossings would be closed for longer periods of time each day. This can only serve to restrict traffic flow on the roads and will also hinder our residents walking and cycling around the borough on routes which cross the rail lines.
“We’re committed to becoming the greenest borough in London and, while we fully support improved train travel, it can’t be at the expense of bringing gridlock to parts of the borough.”
The Council is also concerned about the building of a new depot for staff training and cleaning and maintenance of the trains at Feltham, which could significantly affect people living nearby. The site, on the old marshalling yards, is near Crane Park which is set to be improved thanks to £400,000 funding from the Mayor of London. The Council is concerned the depot could have an adverse affect the park.
The Council has made its views clear to Lord Adonis and says HAL has underestimated the impact of the scheme on local communities, including how pedestrians and cyclists, as well as drivers would be affected. It says HAL has not identified measures could be put in place to lessen these effects.
According to the Council, there is a need for HAL to improve the timetabling of the services and to implement improved signalling along the Airtrack route.
The Government has said the public inquiry will take place in late Spring next year. More information on precise dates and venues will be made available closer to the time.
View the full press release