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A high-speed rail link could lead to more noise and pollution over west London, it emerged today.
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis is proposing the high-velocity trains between London and other major cities to cut domestic and short-haul European flights, as part of the war on global warming.
However, the rail link - which would have a spur line to Heathrow - could lead to more demand for flights, according to the airport's operator, BAA.
It claims thousands more people may jump on a 225mph train to the west London airport rather than flying from the Midlands, the North or other regions to another European hub airport to make connections for long-haul flights.
This could lead to a rise in noise and pollution suffered by residents in west London, and in other parts of the capital affected by flights to and from the airport.
Colin Matthews, chief executive of BAA, highlighted the potential impact of high-speed rail at a meeting with Lord Adonis in September, according to documents obtained under freedom of information laws.
However, John Stewart, chairman of anti-Heathrow expansion group Hacan, claimed BAA was simply spreading "propaganda" to gain support for a third runway there.
MPs against a third runway but for high-speed rail didn't accept the new trains could further blight parts of London. Susan Kramer, the Liberal Democrat Heathrow spokeswoman and MP for Richmond Park, said: "Essentially, Heathrow would convert to an aviation hub for long-distance flights. Virtually every major city in Europe would be quickly reached by rail."
All three main parties support plans for a high-speed rail network. The Tories claim it could replace up to 66,500 flights a year.
Reader views (5)
Susan Kramer shows typical Liberal Democrat foolishness saying "Virtually every major city in Europe would be quickly reached by rail". Other than Madrid, Rome, Zurich, Vienna, Berlin, Moscow, Warsaw, Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Athens, Belgrade, Budapest, Milan, Kiev, Prague, Munich, Dublin, Barcelona, Lisbon, Bucharest, Sofia, Zagreb.
Yep Paris, Brussels, Cologne and Amsterdam that's "every major city".
The difference between high speed rail and a third runway at Heathrow, is that the former requires billions from taxpayers, the latter requires nothing. It's a complete myth to say high speed rail "frees up Heathrow", when only 3% of flights are domestic and the flights to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam are almost entirely about connecting onto long haul flights at Heathrow, Schiphol or Charles de Gaulle.
If there is no third runway then long haul flight growth will continue at Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Munich, whilst Heathrow (and BA and Virgin Atlantic) face nil growth, and more and more will fly to Europe to then go on long haul flights.
- Libertyscott, London, 08/12/2009 16:30
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Now, why might BAA be scaremongering about a railway line increasing the demand for flights at Heathrow. That would be *good* for their business, so if they are opposing it there is some other reason.
Methinks the reason is that they are scared that people might jump on the train to Brimingham International or Midlands airports, rather than put up with Heathow's inflated charges and abysmal customer service. To BAA - get your own act in order, and shut up!
- Nigel, London, 08/12/2009 14:33
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Another month, another announcement by Lord Adonis about his "all I want for Christmas is a High Speed train set".
And yet not one inch of track has been laid since 1997. The Channel Tunnel link is 67 miles long and took 11 years to build. At that rate, don't expect short-haul economy flights to disappear before 2100.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one, 08/12/2009 12:47
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BAA's argument is pretty false. Heathrow has no more available landing slots. If there is no new runway, then there can be no more flights. If there is a high speed link, it will shift people away from short distance flights, meaning that slots will be freed up for longer distance routes.
- Mark Lee, Vauxhall, 08/12/2009 12:09
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All three parties may support a high-speed rail network, but lets see who has the foresight to finance it. My guess is that if it was up to any political party in power, this country will still be waiting for it's network in 2050...Unless perhaps the EU steps in and funds it.
- Mark H, London England, 08/12/2009 11:46
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