In 2016, the Department for Transport (DfT) decided that the Western Rail Link to Heathrow project and proposals for a southern access scheme to the airport (Southern Access to Heathrow), should become a single, holistic program.
Known as the Heathrow Rail Access (HRA) Programme, it will provide a step-change in rail accessibility at Britain’s busiest airport, opening new markets across the South and South West and relieving congestion at London terminal stations.
Planned to align with other nationally significant infrastructure projects, including High Speed 2 (HS2) and Crossrail, HRA will provide an attractive alternative to the heavily congested road network, where few other strategic infrastructure alternatives exist.
Industry Systems Integration to foster a collaborative environment
WSP's role as Industry Systems Integrator (ISI) includes working at the strategic program stage and supporting the benefits case and developing program level requirements. We are managing the integration risks between the main industry parties responsible for delivering the outcomes of the HRA programme; DfT, Network Rail, Heathrow Airport Ltd and the affected train service operators. The HRA ISI team seeks to coordinate activities across the industry parties to implement a ‘whole-system’ approach to planning of timetables, infrastructure delivery, rolling stock delivery and operational change.
