Travelling from Southampton to Heathrow could become much easier as the mayor of London personally backed proposals for a new train route.

The new plans include a direct train connecting Basingstoke to Heathrow terminals, which would make it much faster for people from Southampton to get there.

According to the proposals, a direct journey from Basingstoke to Heathrow terminal five will only take 43 minutes - with the average current journey involving multiple changeovers and taking around 90 minutes.

But there is a glimmer of hope for even faster travel, as the direct line could be extended beyond Basingstoke to Southampton.

Heathrow Southern Ltd (HSRL) stated in their plans that they would like to include “Possible direct access to Heathrow from Southampton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Reading, Bracknell and Wokingham”.

Sadiq Khan has thrown his weight behind the new rail route, which connects Heathrow to Hampshire, south-west London, Berkshire and Surrey according to the BBC.

There are two branches of these services being proposed at this time.

The first branch would be between Heathrow and Waterloo stopping at Staines, Putney, Hounslow, Twickenham, RIchmond and Clapham Junction. 

The second branch that has been proposed would link Heathrow straight through to Virginia Water.

In HSRL’s proposal they have also stated that they aim to provide ‘direct trains from Surrey and Hampshire to Paddington’ which also provides an alternative route aside from through Waterloo.

Furthermore, HSRL also stated that they aim to have ‘direct trains from Surrey and Hampshire to Old Oak Common, providing a direct connection to HS2’. 

HSRL estimates the costing of this to be around £1.3 billion to them, as of estimates in 2016/17, and will all be privately financed. 

As it is privately funded HSRL will own the rail lines.

Train companies will then pay money for access to these routes in the future.

Another reason for this new proposal is because, on the 29th of August 2023, the ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) expanded to cover all London boroughs and these new changes will reduce driving into London.

The mayor told the Evening Standard: “I welcome the useful role that a Southern Rail Link to Heathrow could play in supporting a shift to sustainable modes [of travel], while transforming access to Heathrow Airport for passengers and staff from south London, Surrey and Hampshire".

Hampshire County Council said: “Hampshire County Council remains a keen supporter of a Southern Rail Link to Heathrow Airport. We would not wish to see a situation where Heathrow expansion is delivered but Hampshire is not directly connected to Heathrow by rail."