Airtrack Proposal

Staines MoorA variety of concerns were raisedabout the impact of HeathrowAirtrack on the natural environment.The impact on Staines Moor hasbeen an important considerationin designing the scheme:1. The rail link has been movedcloser to the M25 to avoid, as faras possible, the Site of SpecialScientific Interest (SSSI) and toensure a continuous expanse ofopen space.2. Common land and open spacethat is taken to build the rail linkwould be replaced.3. The scheme would be on a verylow viaduct across Staines Moor,rather than an embankment. Thiswould help to limit the loss offlood storage space and reducehabitat loss.4. During construction, contractorswould be required to put in placeprotective measures to minimiseimpacts on habitats, including theWraysbury River.Footpath and BridlewayThe proposals for the footpath andbridleway have continued to bedeveloped. The current proposal,shown opposite, is to keep theexisting bridleway as it is, althoughit would need to be closedtemporarily during construction sothat a gas main and high voltagecable can be diverted.After Heathrow Airtrack has beenbuilt, an additional footpath wouldrun along the eastern side of thenew railway and on the line of theold railway embankment. The twoexisting pedestrian level crossingswould be removed and replacedby a new footbridge over theWindsor line, providing a safercrossing for the local community.The footpath would be extendedto the south of the new footbridgeand over the Wraysbury River,creating an integrated networkof footpaths.Other CommentsA number of questions were alsoasked on subjects ranging fromticket prices to who would operatethe service. It is too early toaddress many of these questionsbut we are working closely withNetwork Rail, the Department forTransport and South West Trainsand will continue to engage withlocal communities and stakeholdersat all stages of the HeathrowAirtrack application process.Public Access to Staines Moor8 9