policy – Page 2 – The Windsor Link Railway

Alternatives to WLR ‘poor value for money’ – official report
Alternatives to WLR ‘poor value for money’ – official report

News, policy

Alternatives to WLR ‘poor value for money’ – official report

admin2017-06-01T15:04:28+00:00July 14th, 2016|Tags: policy, RBWM, Slough|

An official report published by the Thames Valley Local Economic Partnership (LEP) has supported WLR's view that the needs of not just Windsor but also Slough are best served by the proposed linking of the two lines and new station. The report finds that all the alternatives to WLR for improving links between Windsor and Slough are all 'poor value for money'. The only exception to this is a replacement bus service which is undeliverable for other reasons. Assessment of the Windsor Link Railway [...]

Secretary of State re-iterates support for private investment in rail
Secretary of State re-iterates support for private investment in rail

News, policy

Secretary of State re-iterates support for private investment in rail

admin2017-07-10T18:26:46+00:00July 2nd, 2016|Tags: DfT, MPs, policy|

Speaking at the National Infrastructure Forum, the Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, said: And as we address the future and the consequences of our vote to leave the European Union (EU), one thing is certain. Investment in the long term infrastructure we need, has become more important, not less. Passenger demand is increasing; we are making twice as many journeys as we did in 1970. And so is the demand for economic growth. In answer to a question regarding the Windsor Link [...]

Shaw Report favours more private investment in network
Shaw Report favours more private investment in network

News, policy

Shaw Report favours more private investment in network

admin2017-06-01T16:07:13+00:00March 16th, 2016|Tags: policy|

Nicola Shaw, tasked with the government of a review of Network Rail, has released her conclusions today. She has ruled out a full privatisation of Network Rail but says: Further options for involving private sector finance... should be explored to release government capital, encourage innovation, and speed up delivery of improvements for passengers. This is consistent with Network Rail Chief Executive Mark Carne's comments some months ago where he said: What I am in favour of is increased devolution to regional businesses. The first [...]

WLR evidence to Select Committee published
WLR evidence to Select Committee published

News, policy

WLR evidence to Select Committee published

admin2017-07-10T18:28:31+00:00November 25th, 2015|Tags: Crossrail, Heathrow, MPs, policy, WRAtH|

The House of Commons Select Committee Inquiry into Surface Transport to Airports has ordered evidence submitted by WLR to be published. WLR's evidence agrees with British Airways, that the currently proposed links are too expensive and counter-productive, likely leading to worse traffic congestion if the airport grows. The Windsor Link Railway offers a solution to this problem, which saves the taxpayers almost a billion pounds. It adds direct connections to Heathrow and Crossrail from Windsor and Ascot (and improves links to Slough and Maidenhead) [...]

WLR featured in neighbourhood plan
WLR featured in neighbourhood plan

News, policy

WLR featured in neighbourhood plan

admin2017-06-01T16:42:49+00:00September 22nd, 2015|Tags: meetings, neighbourhood planning, planning process, supporters, Windsor|

The main principles of WLR have been supported in the emerging Windsor 2030 neighbourhood plan. This is a 'pre-consultation' prior to the draft policy consultation. The above video is a quick summary. For more information visit the Windsor 2030 news section. Agree or disagree, you can comment on their website, criticise or suggest alternatives. Please make your comments non-anonymous for them to count as official feedback. You can also comment below.

Council: new strategic plan for Windsor
Council: new strategic plan for Windsor

News, policy

Council: new strategic plan for Windsor

admin2015-06-18T13:04:33+00:00June 18th, 2015|Tags: consultations, RBWM|

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead has just announced a cabinet paper for a Windsor strategic plan. This will include the Windsor Link Railway. The council's forward plan says: If the recommendation to produce a Strategic Planning Document is accepted there will be widespread consultation with residents, businesses and stakeholders. The Windsor Link Railway is very pleased to see this. Last year, we had success in the Borough Local Plan to get the rail link supported in principle and, for the first time, [...]

Windsor Express: Railway ‘shambles’ — and how WLR can help
Windsor Express: Railway ‘shambles’ — and how WLR can help

News, policy

Windsor Express: Railway ‘shambles’ — and how WLR can help

admin2017-07-10T18:29:38+00:00April 11th, 2015|Tags: policy|

The Windsor & Eton Express this week splashes on the 'commuter misery as signals upgrade is dogged by problems'. On Wednesday, First Great Western managing director Mark Hopwood issued an apology and assured passengers it was working to reduce the likelihood of the problems happening again... The troubles continued yesterday (Thursday) when travellers faced a 45 minute wait between Reading and Paddington during the morning rush hour because of yet more signalling problems. The BBC has also reported Network Rail to be "sorry for [...]

HS2 criticised by the IEA
HS2 criticised by the IEA

News, policy

HS2 criticised by the IEA

admin2017-06-03T09:24:32+00:00August 21st, 2013|Tags: HS2, thinktanks|

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), a Thatcherite think tank, has strongly criticised the government’s plans for HS2, the proposed high-speed rail link between London and the north of Britain. The trouble with the IEA’s paper is that it criticises how HS2 is being procured but does not make a positive case for reform. […]

The Heathrow debate
The Heathrow debate

policy

The Heathrow debate

admin2017-06-03T09:48:02+00:00July 20th, 2013|Tags: Heathrow, policy|

With submissions to the Davies Airport Commission coming in thick and fast some readers have been in touch to ask what Heathrow's expansion plans or even its closure would mean for the Windsor Link Railway. Expanding Heathrow to the South-West This is Heathrow Airport Limited's favourite option. Many people, however, think this is difficult because it would involve moving or over the M25. Interestingly, from a rail access point-of-view, it would also take the new runway over the existing Windsor line to Waterloo. This [...]

WLR could save the taxpayer £1 billion
WLR could save the taxpayer £1 billion

News, policy

WLR could save the taxpayer £1 billion

admin2013-06-21T09:56:34+00:00June 21st, 2013|Tags: media, policy, thinktanks|

The TaxPayers' Alliance features the WLR. It says: The Government has recently set aside £500 million to build a rail link between Heathrow and The West and is likely to agree a similar figure for a line running south from Heathrow. But Windsor Link Railway, a private company, is competing to build the route and for a fraction of the cost. It is proposing the first wholly privately funded new rail line in over 100 years. [More...]