MP Opposes Heathrow Expansion but Supports Rail Link
Jack Rankin, Conservative MP for Windsor in Berkshire, has expressed firm opposition to the planned expansion of Heathrow Airport, while advocating strongly for the development of a new rail link to the airport. The proposed expansion, valued at £49 billion, includes the construction of a third runway, diversion of the M25 motorway, and a new road tunnel beneath the airport.
Rankin, whose constituency lies close to Heathrow, stated:
"Fundamentally, I do not believe that there is space in our infrastructure locally."
The airport and government officials have described the expansion as "urgent," citing that Heathrow is currently operating at full capacity.
Local Concerns and Economic Considerations
Speaking on BBC Radio Berkshire's hotseat, Rankin highlighted that the economic benefits for Berkshire from the airport expansion are outweighed by the negative impacts on the county. He noted that many constituents live beneath the Heathrow flight path and are concerned about aircraft noise and increased traffic congestion.
"I am against the expansion of the third runway but we must acknowledge the economic importance for those living and working in Berkshire.
It's not just a runway, it's terminal buildings, it's hotels, it's car parks, it all creates jobs.
However, if you think about the local area in terms of traffic, development infrastructure, noise and pollution most people in our area think those things are already at capacity."
Business groups have argued that the expansion would benefit businesses and exporters by improving access to markets and encouraging investment.
Thomas Woldbye, Chief Executive of Heathrow Airport, has previously emphasized the urgency of expansion, stating the airport is operating at capacity.
In January 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced renewed governmental support for the third runway, with plans aimed at advancing the project by 2029. Reeves stated at the time that the expansion would "make Britain the world's best connected place to do business."
Support for Western Rail Link
Rankin expressed support for the concept of a western rail link to Heathrow, suggesting it could mitigate some local concerns related to traffic and congestion. Network Rail's plans for a rail connection between Reading and Heathrow were indefinitely postponed in December 2020 due to planning and cost challenges. The project included constructing a new tunnel that would reduce journey times between Reading and Heathrow to 20-30 minutes.
"The rail link might see more people coming by public transport than road, which might alleviate some of the traffic problems."
Currently, travelers to Heathrow by train must travel to London Paddington and then transfer to the Heathrow Express. Rankin noted that many MPs in the Berkshire area support the rail link, but there remains debate over funding.
A Heathrow spokesperson stated:
"We remain committed to making journeys to Heathrow easier and more sustainable.
That's why we're continuing to explore options for a new rail link from the west, which would offer faster, direct connections from the West of England and South Wales to the airport."
London Heathrow is the largest and busiest airport in the UK, handling over 83 million passengers annually.
