Heathrow Airport's high-speed Rail Link Will Follow Northern Extension

A high-speed rail link at Heathrow Airport will only be introduced after the network is extended to the north of England, according to a report.

According to Lord Mawhinney, who was commissioned to review the airport's transport links, there was "no compelling case" for a direct link immediately.

Diverting the London to Birmingham high-speed route via Heathrow was not likely to be good value for money, he explained.

However, once the network is extended beyond the Midlands, the case could become more pervasive as it would enable fast access from the North and Scotland to the airport.

He commented: "Over time there will be greater demand for access to Heathrow, which might make a direct high-speed rail connection... more viable and economically attractive.

"The evidence presented to me suggests that this would only be in prospect after the high-speed network had been extended at least to Manchester and Leeds."

Recently new runways at London's three major runways were ruled out by the government.