Date: 22/05/2017

A High Court judge is to rule on whether Crossrail trains should be charged for each time they travel to Heathrow Airport. The airport spent £1bn building the five-mile line 20 years ago to connect the hub to the Great Western track. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) previously decided Heathrow could not charge trains for using the line, which it said would cost about £42m a year. The airport said it wanted to 'ensure track access charges were fair'. Heathrow has taken the decision to the High Court for a judicial review and a ruling is expected 'imminently', an airport spokesperson said.

External links

Heathrow-Crossrail row heads to High Court

BBC News

Heathrow wants to charge trains for access to a line it built using £1bn of private money.

Related images

In addition to the 'Heathrow Express' there is also a stopping service running between Paddington and Heathrow Airport using class 360 emus and branded 'Heathrow Connect'. On 4 June 2011 unit 360202 arrives at Ealing Broadway platform 3 with such a service on its way to the airport, while a Central Line train is preparing to head for town at platform 5 in the background.
Location: Ealing Broadway
Company: Great Western Railway
04/06/2011 John McIntyre

Platform scene at Heathrow Terminal 1 on 19 January 2006, with a Heathrow Connect stopping service to Paddington pulling in.
Location: Heathrow
Company: Heathrow Railway (British Airports Authority)
19/01/2006 John Furnevel

A mid morning view across the blocks at Paddington on 9 August showing most platforms occupied. FGW 43094 and 43092 stand in the foreground, with two more HSTs, plus Heathrow Express, Heathrow Connect and FGW Turbo units also present.
Location: Paddington
Company: Great Western Railway
09/08/2013 David Pesterfield