‘Heathwick’ plan for high speed train link between Heathrow and Gatwick
08.10.11
A £5bn billion high-speed rail link between Heathrow and Gatwick airports with a 15 minute journey time is being considered by the Government in an attempt to maximise air capacity, according to press reports today. The 180mph (290kph) trains, leaving every five minutes, would follow the route of the M25 motorway, but travel underground most of the way, according to the Times.
The so-called ‘Heathwick’ service would create the world's first ‘virtual hub’ between two airports, provide a quicker and cheaper answer to the UK's capacity problems than a new airport in the Thames Estuary and offer a solution that does not entail the politically unpopular expansion of Heathrow. Under the proposals, passengers would not need to go through separate immigration procedures or check-in twice, because Gatwick and Heathrow would be considered part of the same aviation 'hub'.
The British Chamber of Commerce first put forward plans for a 'Heathwick' hub two years ago, but the idea has only gained ground during the current review of the UK’s aviation capacity. The idea is part of the Government's review into aviation policy, which is examining how to expand air capacity around the capital without jeopardising green targets after the coalition overturned plans for a third runway at Heathrow. Supporters of the plan argue that Heathwick would allow London's airports to compete more effectively with large European airports by encouraging more transfers. Budget airlines such as easyJet - currently Gatwick's biggest operator - would be encouraged to leave Gatwick for Stansted, the reports suggest.
A Gatwick airport spokesman said: ‘Anything that has the potential to distribute demand for access to London's airports when capacity is constrained has to be a good thing. We would be very pleased to discuss the idea further with ministers’. However, Heathrow operator BAA said: ‘A virtual hub between Heathrow and Gatwick faces insurmountable technical, operational, political and financial challenges, and would take many years to deliver. It provides no extra runway capacity in the South East, which is the key problem identified by the Department for Transport's own passenger forecast.’
Gatwick is already the world’s busiest single runway airport and is full (slot bound) during peak periods. Moving budget airlines would help, but perhaps a better idea would be to link Heathrow with Stansted, which BAA is getting to keep for a while longer ..... !
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