Re: Heathrow and ground connections. A Transport and Works Order has been submitted for Airtrack (the southern connection to the Feltham/ Staines Loop) - there is one major conumdrum in that the ruling linespeed through that part of Sarf Lunnun is not particularly high and that capacity at Waterloo (although there are 4 new shiny platforms with the departure of Eurostar) is tight as a badgers bottom.
The best option would be a westerly connection off Airtrack (I haven't seen the order - it could be planned) SO a connection could then be made at Staines via the SR to Reading and the South. The fly in the ointment is of course that Swatchtrains franchise would have to be relet to take account of this.
To the north and HEX/ Connect. Nice as it is a westerly connection onto the GWML and wires up as far as Brizzle and Brum New Street. Minimum. Some on here who have the contacts should start lobbying for that now as part of a general campaign by the railway industry. Heathhell will benefit by having better public transport, which can't harm; can it?