03.09.13
Rail improvements to boost airport access
Better rail links could help utilise existing airport capacity, the London Assembly has suggested. In a letter to the chair of the Airports’ Commission, Sir Howard Davies, the committee called for investment in this area to be prioritised.
A national strategy could help realise improvements to surface access to London’s airports, particular those with spare capacity; Gatwick, Stansted and Luton. Current provision may be putting passengers off travelling by rail, the committee said.
Extending the Oyster card scheme to Gatwick and Stansted airports and encouraging airlines to inform passengers about rail links. The majority of airport passengers currently travel by car.
Val Shawcross AM, chair of the London Assembly’s Transport Committee, said: “Luton, Stansted and Gatwick all have spare airport capacity that might prove useful to determining the UK’s future aviation policy. However, transport seems to be a key barrier preventing passengers from travelling to alternative airports.
“Prioritising rail projects that improve access to our major airports, extending Oyster card boundaries and better marketing are just some of the ways that could encourage passengers to use alternative airports. We ask the Airports’ Commission to look seriously at the ways improving transport links could unlock capacity.”
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