On Sunday, 21 May 2017 17:22:54 UTC+1, Ding Bat wrote:
If, hypothetically, the judge finds that Heathrow has the right to levy this charge, it would be possible to charge less per train by running more trains by adding more destinations. Heathrow Connect to Paddington is slated to be phased out in favor of Crossrail to Paddington. Heathrow Connect could be continued as a service to Stratford rather than Paddington; it would become the easiest way to get from Heathrow to a number of northern suburbs by mass transit. In addition, trains could be run from Heathrow to busy junctions - Reading and Clapham Junction come to mind.

Given that the Mayor, TfL and DfT don't agree with the charge then trains simply will not go to Heathrow. They will depict HAL as vicious, money grabbing *******s that are trying to rip off Londoners. Now HAL may not give a damn but their public reputation is rather important in the context of expanding Heathrow and they are reliant on others, such as government, to actually support that scheme. People can change their minds.

Crossrail will wholly replace Heathrow Connect from May next year with a 4 tph service. Clearly a deal is needed by then. From December 2019 the service is extended through the Crossrail core to Abbey Wood. This whole approach by HAL is a wilfull misinterpretation of their right to levy a charge so as to recover the past cost (including financing) of the tunnel link to Heathrow. That is all they are entitled to. Deciding to try to rip off the public purse is nothing short of a scandal. I sincerely hope the High Court tells them to sod off.

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Paul C
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