With the publication of the rail industry’s Initial Industry Plan (IIP), the Institution of Civil Engineers South West (ICE) has added its support for the proposed rail link between Reading and Heathrow airport.

The £500 million proposals would mean passengers from the Westcountry could change at Reading and take a high speed train directly to Heathrow, potentially knocking an hour of the current journey time.

Regional Director of ICE South West, Trish Johnson said: “With only two routes into the far South West by road and the closure of Plymouth Airport, this scheme is vital for the business and academic communities as well as commuters across the region.

“The government has stressed the importance of transport infrastructure as a driver to economic growth. Journey times and the difficulties of travelling in and out of the region have been identified as a key barrier to inward investment.

“We can offer a fantastic quality of life, but we need to present companies with sound economic reasons to relocate. To develop, our businesses have to think outwards in terms of trading nationally and internationally as well. Inevitably, journey times to and from London and the rest of the country are a key issue.”

The IIP aims to help the government decide on future investment plans for the rail network, reduce the burden on the taxpayer, improve affordability and cut costs through greater efficiency.

Looking forward to 2014 -2019, the plan sets out a range of options for investment – providing better links between the big cities, more services, as well as proposing key improvement projects. It also includes electrification and high speed rail.

Trish continued: “With the South West missing out on high speed rail, it is crucial that the government sees the importance of this new rail link. It’s not only for business, our universities are major employers. They need to be able to offer employees, visiting academics and both UK and international students good connectivity to attract them here.

“With the region’s ambitions to be centres of excellence for the marine and renewables industries, we need to convince Whitehall that the South West can’t be left behind.”

ENDS