Release Date: 17/11/2008
Residents are being urged to attend a public consultation on the proposed new rail link between Heathrow and the south and west. Richmond Council believes the proposals could be hugely beneficial for the borough. But they also pose a threat to the local area if not properly put in place.
Speaking about the proposals and calling on residents to attend the meeting at Queen Charlotte Hall in Richmond Cllr David Trigg, Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking on Richmond Council said:
“There is a huge opportunity for the borough to benefit from these proposals if they are implemented correctly and using latest technology and if the investment is directed for long term benefit. We must remember that this is potentially the first major capital infrastructure initiative since the 1840s.
“But it is really important that the maximum number of people from across the whole borough have their say on the Airtrack proposals - the more who can attend the better the results will be for Richmond upon Thames.
“One of the impacts of this is that there will be longer downtime at the level crossings between Barnes and Richmond. At peak hours at the moment the downtime is roughly 30 minutes out of every 60. This is causing considerable congestion and problems in the vicinity of those crossings and beyond - quite frankly this is not acceptable.
“The council has been working with Network Rail and the local MP Susan Kramer to see how we can resolve these. We are also working with BAA, the promoters of Airtrack with respect to these new proposals.
“Our position is, and always has been, that we fully support improvements to public transport but this must not be at the expense of local concerns and also not at the expense of introducing a new service such as this at the expense of the existing commuter services.
“I am also keen that a number of other questions are addressed such as what will be the impact of increased services on those neighbouring the line such as the impact of using Feltham marshalling yards.
“We will be making our representations from the council. But it is vital that local residents and businesses add their voice so local interests are represented as strongly as possible.”
The public consultation and exhibition will be at Queen Charlotte Hall, Parkshot Centre, Richmond on Thursday 27th November between 1pm and 8pm.
The proposals for the Airtrack rail link between Heathrow, Waterloo and the south and west of the airport are also available for view and comment on www.heathrowairport.com/airtrack. The proposals as they currently stand envisage more services on the lines affected.