Maidenhead & Windsor

BAA's plans for a new rail link to connect Heathrow with the national network have been welcomed in principle by the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough - but with such strong reservations that Windsor MP Adam Afriyie is to be asked to lobby government ministers to address local concerns.

The Windsor and Maidenhead council is worried that Airtrack - operating to Reading, Guildford and London - will bring no benefits for the borough unless it stops at Ascot to provide a service for local people as well as catering for the large number of visitors to locally-based national attractions such as Windsor Castle, Legoland and Ascot Racecourse. Current proposals suggest the service would stop at Staines and Bracknell only.

There are also grave concerns about the impact on local Windsor and Maidenhead traffic caused in the main by the anticipated increased use of the London Road, Sunningdale, level crossing - likely to be in the down position for around 15 minutes in every hour. This would, the council believes, result in drivers trying to avoid long delays by turning local roads into rat runs, particularly the narrow Dry Arch Road and Charters Road which passes by Charters School.

The Windsor and Maidenhead council's proposed response to the latest BAA consultation, to be discussed by cabinet on Thursday 27 August, underlines fears that the half-hourly service from Windsor Riverside could be lost if the track becomes nothing more than a branch line with no direct link to Waterloo. There are also concerns that there is no proposed direct connection from T5 to Windsor, which would be possible by having a loop line on Staines Moor.

Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead highways and transport, said that while Airtrack had the potential to improve public transport - and not just for airport travellers - it raised very real concerns for local people.

He said: "Unless these potentially serious traffic issues are addressed by BAA we run the risk of turning Sunningdale into a car park at peak times. The additional level crossing downtime means the road will be blocked for around 15 minutes in every hour which will bring traffic to a halt, result in rat running through narrow local streets and cause traffic chaos.

"And, as it is currently proposed, Airtrack will be of absolutely no advantage to the borough because there is no stop planned to service Ascot and the surrounding area. Local residents would have all the hassle and none of the benefits.

"This is why we are proposing not only to express our concerns through the BAA consultation itself but also to ask our MP to lobby ministers so they are aware of the local situation and can take positive steps to address these very worrying issues."

Cabinet will also be asked to support the council's participation in a future public inquiry and to work with adjoining Runnymede Borough Council to take forward issues of joint concern.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead