Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential economic benefit to the South West of the proposed Western Rail Access to Heathrow.

A new Western Rail Link to Heathrow would substantially reduce rail journey times to Heathrow for passengers from the Thames Valley, South Coast, South West, South Wales and West Midlands, eliminating the need to change at London Paddington and encouraging modal shift.

In addition to benefits for airport passengers and workers, the proposed link would provide a real boost to the economy, generating economic growth and new jobs across the Thames Valley and surrounding areas.