Quote: "Think of a number. Double it. Then double it again, a few times
To be a high enough speed line from Heathrow to make this viable, it's going to need to be a dedicated line - can you imagine what a train running TGV style would do to the dear old commuter trains chugging from Reading to Didcot if they used the existing line? How much for a new Severn Tunnel, or a lovely viaduct (high enough for the ships to pass)!?
I bet the cost would make a third AND fourth runway at Heathrow look like loose change...
TA"
Yes, and another important point: taxpayers' millions vs. Heathrow Airport Limited's "loose change".
Quote: "It has to be cheaper, and a darn site more convenient, to build a new airport from scratch, or develop one or more of the ex cold war military airfields, with already existing rail and/or road connection(s) than to try to rescue an out the back of beyond aerodrome such as Glamorgan/Rhoose"
The trouble with all these RAF or ex-RAF airfields near to motorways and/or railways is that they are all in the middle of nowhere.
Best to stick to 2 more rwys at LHR and let the private sector finance it, as they are clearly keen to do.
Last edited by Fairdealfrank; 22nd Jul 2013 at 17:56.