'Don't rule out Windsor in Heathrow rail link plans'

Richard Cutcher • Published 20 Jul 2012 06:30 1 Comment

Rail enthusiast George Bathurst is hopeful Windsor could still be included in the Government's western rail link plans despite signs it will be bypassed.

Politicians and businesses in Slough have been revelling at the prospect of the new link serving the town, but after a meeting with the Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) on Tuesday, Mr Bathurst is confident Windsor Link will remain in the mix.

His £75m project proposes to link the two Windsor stations by tunnel and connect them to Heathrow via Staines, and he believes the celebrations of Slough MP Fiona Mactaggart and Slough Borough Council are premature.

Speaking to The Observer, he said: "It is good news there is £500m being put toward the western link, but it is not clear the decision of where the route will go.

"I don't think it is quite what Slough is positioning it as. Netowrk Rail has an obligation to get best value for money."

Mr Bathurst said whatever the Government decides, it would be full steam ahead for phase one of his project which would connect Windsor and Eton Riverside to Windsor and Eton Central.

Mr Bathurst added: "Our phase one aims to create a more flexible network which correct the historical anomaly of two stations in one town which are not connected.

"I think once the business cases are compared we will know more."

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This article appeared in Bracknell News 18 Jul 12

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  jameselton
  1 post
  Aug 6, 11:14
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  I find it rather odd to speculate about infrastructure to an airport that either may expand or be run down and replaced by the sensibly located Estuary Airport.
  
  Do they know something we don't. Like Labour are the Conservatives firmly in the deep pockets of BA and BAA et al?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 0

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