FINANCE
Whitechapel construction site Caption to the image
WHO HAS NOT had to get to or through central London after arriving at Heathrow Airport ? It was in 1977 , 37 years ago , that HM the Queen unveiled a £ 71 million underground link via the Piccadilly Line to Heathrow ’ s terminals . At the time it was the first of its kind in the world from a capital to its major airport . Not today – most capital cities have modern high speed links to the major rail termini , and the 40 minute tube journey is no longer impressive for a 15 mile trip .
Heathrow is the world ’ s busiest airport . When Crossrail services start in late 2018 they will connect the outer suburbs to the heart of the City and West End , as well as providing a quick route between central London and Heathrow Airport . Of course Crossrail is much more than an airport link , though the economic importance of that aspect of the project can hardly be overstated . It is a 73 mile , fast , high frequency , high capacity railway from Reading , Maidenhead and Heathrow
10 May 2015