The train line would have connected Heathrow and Gatwick airports. (Image: Getty)
A connecting and airports sounds like a dream for .
And the idea of a seamless 15-minute transfer between the UK’s two was at the heart of a bold 2018 proposal called HS4Air.
But despite its ambitious design and potential benefits, the £10 billion project never made it past the planning stage.
The HS4Air proposal came from and aimed to link the existing route, which connects to the , to the ) line via an 87-mile stretch of track south of the capital.
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The route would have curved around the southwest of the capital. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
The route would have curved around the southwest of London, running parallel to the M25 motorway, with stations at both Heathrow and Gatwick.
Expedition Engineering envisioned it easing pressure on London’s transport network by offering a direct rail link between regional cities, the airports, and even continental Europe via the Channel Tunnel.
According to the plan, 40% of the line would have used existing tracks, with upgrades at Ashford International and Tonbridge stations, and around a fifth of the route in tunnels to minimise environmental impact.
The project was designed to reduce travel times between the two airports and improve connections to cities like Birmingham, Manchester, and Cardiff.
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HS2 is currently under construction and expected to be completed between 2029 and 2033. (Image: Getty)
There was even talk of linking the line to Manston Airport in Kent. However, the government rejected the proposal in December 2018.
The Department for Transport (DfT) raised concerns over its financial viability, stating it wasn’t “credible without government support.”
Opposition from communities along the route, particularly over the impact on green belt land, was also anticipated.
As of today, nothing is being planned and no other proposals have been made.