SLR Southern Light Railway
To receive a presentation on progress with the SLR Southern LR from the Group Head for Regeneration and Growth.
Minutes:
The committee received a presentation on the proposed southern light railway.
It was planned for the scheme to be funded by private investment. This investment was contingent on the project being able to source initial investment to fund the preparation of a full business case. It was hoped that a high-level business case, which would include financial projections. would be available by the end of the year.
The bid was being managed by a consortium whose membership included Spelthorne Borough Council (SBC) and various specialist organisations. Representation from other organisations would be important to the project. SBC was intending to act as a facilitator to the project.
There was discussion about the government’s specification around their requirements for southern access to Heathrow, which was still currently awaited. The consortium was keen to sell the benefits of a light railway, instead of a heavy railway which would have a greater environmental impact and not be able to operate services at the same frequency. The light railway option would also more easily enable the creation of intermediate stops that would benefit the residents of Stanwell in particular. Staines would also benefit, as it would then have a direct connection to London Heathrow Airport.
Work had been carried out to compare the proposed light railway to other similar successful schemes around the world. It was also hoped that the London Transport travel zones could be extended to Staines (so the borough would sit within zone 6), which would cut the cost of travel to the area and promote economic development and modal shift among commuters and those travelling to the airport.
Councillor engagement, particularly in the newly adopted committee system, needed careful consideration. There was the possibility of recommissioning a previous Heathrow expansion working group to fulfil this need.
The presentation was NOTED.