Network Rail has announced that Heathrow Airport will become more accessible by train from Cardiff, improving access to the city by reducing travel time by approximately an hour.
The new route will be operational by 2021 and will split from the mainline at Langley which is east of Slough. The new link will take 28 minutes to travel from Terminal 5 to Reading, with an hour and a half onward travel time to Cardiff.
The investment is estimated to cost £500m, which has been funded by Central Government as part of their plans to up grade rail infrastructure in the UK.
Councillor Russell Goodway, Cabinet Member for Finance and Economic Development, at Cardiff Council said:
“Cardiff needs to be connected. This commitment to a train service which brings us much closer to the world’s busiest airport is great news for Cardiff, particularly when put alongside the £500m investment already secured into electrifying the Great Western Mainline between Cardiff and London.
“Heathrow Airport is the most important access point for foreign investment and global trade, these improvements will further enhance the capital city as a viable and attractive destination for inward investment and international business.”
