London Plans Rail Links for Heathrow Expansion

TfL plans new rail links to Surrey and Berkshire for Heathrow's £49bn expansion

2026-05-22, Moovit News Team

2 min

TfL Pushes Rail Links to Support Heathrow Growth

Transport for London is advancing plans for new rail connections linking Heathrow Airport to Surrey and Berkshire as the airport prepares for a major expansion. The £49 billion project anticipates an 80 percent surge in passenger numbers, requiring additional transport capacity from surrounding counties, according to the agency. Even more modest growth scenarios would generate a 150 percent increase in public transport trips, TfL officials said.

The push reflects broader concerns about how London's transport network will absorb growth at one of Europe's busiest airports without worsening congestion or air quality. Mayor Sadiq Khan and TfL have called on the Government to commit to no increase in M25 traffic as part of the expansion, citing environmental and mobility pressures across west London and the Home Counties.

The proposed Southern rail link would connect Terminal 5 to Staines, enabling direct trains from Waterloo and Clapham Junction via Richmond or Hounslow. A second branch extending to Virginia Water would provide direct services to Surrey, Berkshire, and Hampshire. The Western rail link would involve a tunnel from Heathrow to the Great Western Main Line between Langley and Iver, opening connections to the West Country and South Wales.

Industry officials indicated in April 2026 that the Western rail link project moved closer to reality, with construction costs coming in lower than expected. If the link opens in 2032, a positive return on investment is projected by 2044. Khan has also called for the Heathrow Express to be reconsidered in 2028 when its operating contract expires, questioning whether it represents the best use of train paths into Paddington given the Elizabeth line's success.

Passengers traveling to and from Heathrow can use the Moovit app to plan journeys across London's rail and bus network, including real-time updates on Elizabeth line services and connections to surrounding regions. The app provides step-by-step guidance for navigating terminal transfers and onward travel as the airport's transport links continue to evolve.