Rail 'to counter' Heathrow plans

The government is considering plans for a new third runway at Heathrow

A high speed cross country rail link with connections to Europe could replace the need to expand Heathrow airport, campaigners have said.

The 2M Group, which opposes a third runway at the west London airport, will unveil its £30bn plan on Monday.

The line would run from Scotland to mainland Europe, linking cities in northern England and the Midlands.

Department for Transport (DfT) said high speed rail links could not "negate" the need to expand Heathrow.

The 2M Group, which includes London boroughs and green groups, said the project could be completed by 2030.

'Sustainable transport options'

Campaigners said the route would improve links to Heathrow and provide fast connections from various cities to Europe.

The proposal includes the use of existing tracks and the Channel Tunnel.

Edwards Lister, leader of Wandsworth Council, said: "We have a government that can't see further than the next runway.

"We don't pretend for one minute we have all the answers but at least we're asking the right questions."

Our investment in railways has already reduced domestic and short haul flights, but some people will need to fly Department for Transport

Richmond Council leader Serge Lourie said: "The country's roads are grinding to a halt and all ministers want to do is put more planes in the sky and more cars on the ground.

"The real demand is for sustainable transport options."

A DfT spokesman said: "It is false to suggest that the need for expansion at Heathrow would be negated by investment in high speed rail.

"Our investment in railways has already reduced domestic and short haul flights, but some people will need to fly because they are using Heathrow as a connection to another country."

The DfT is spending £10bn over the next 5 years on increasing capacity on the rail network by 20%, he added.

Network Rail said there was an economic and environmental need for more rail links.

A spokesman said: "Last month Network Rail has launched a study into the case for new lines to be built across Britain. Two of the strategic routes we are looking at run north-south."

The proposal:

• Main route will connect London with Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow
• Branches will connect cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool
• Up to 40 trains an hour will run between Heathrow and other parts of the South East