The Western Rail Approach to Heathrow is a proposed rail link which would start at Heathrow Terminal 5 station, and run via a tunnel to a junction east of Langley station on the Great Western Main Line.
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The project was announced by the Department of Transport in July 2012, and this government backing allocates £500 million in public funds, subject to a satisfactory business case.
Network Rail estimates that the project could be finished by 2024.
Route
The currently proposed route is a new 5.5 kilometres (3.4 miles) railway line that would leave the Great Western Main Line between Langley and Iver before entering a new tunnel. The tunnel (composed of two smaller tunnels) would pass under Richings Park and Colnbrook and then join existing rail lines at Heathrow Terminal 5.
Four access buildings will be built along the route to provide emergency access to the tunnels, with two additionally providing ventilation.
Realignment of the existing tracks will also be required between Langley and Iver.
Services
It is envisaged that there would be a service of four trains an hour from Heathrow to Slough and Reading, with some also calling at Maidenhead.
Heathrow Express have offered to run services to Reading stopping at Slough.