Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

MPs meet minister to boost campaign to secure western rail link to Heathrow

INDIAN origin labour MP Tan Dhesi and conservative MP Richard Benyon met the Rail Minister, Andrew Jones MP, to discuss the work of the all-party parliamentary group for a western rail link to Heathrow (APPG WRLtH) on Wednesday (27).

Both Tan and Richard are co-chairs of the cross-party group of MPs and Peers.


The WRLtH proposal consists of a 6.5-kilometre rail link between Slough and London Heathrow Airport.

This connection would reduce travel time for the passengers travelling to Heathrow from the South Coast, South West, Wales, and West Midlands as there would be no need for them to travel through to London Paddington.

This move would also reduce congestion on some of the busiest motorways and roads and cut emissions dramatically.

The train journey to Heathrow from Slough would be reduced from 52 minutes to six minutes, Reading from 68 minutes to 26 minutes and Maidenhead from 59 minutes to 14 minutes: carbon dioxide could be reduced by 30 million road miles travelled annually.

It is estimated that the WRLtH could increase economic activity nationally by £800 million.

Richard Benyon MP for Newbury and co-chair of the APPG said: “The business case for this project is without question. There is a pressing case to ensure that this is delivered swiftly. At the moment it looks like delivery will not be achieved until 2027. That is far too distant. I am really glad that the Minister listened to our concerns and will try to help deliver the project earlier.”

More For You

Asian firm acquires Kings Court Hotel for £2.75m

UK-based Nanak Hotels acquired the 60-room Kings Court Hotel in Warwickshire for £2.75 million. (Photo: Colliers International UK)

Asian firm acquires Kings Court Hotel for £2.75m

UK-BASED Nanak Hotels recently acquired the 60-room Kings Court Hotel, a 17th-century property in Warwickshire, England, for £2.75 million. This is the first regional acquisition by the privately held firm led by British Indians Harpreet Singh Saluja and Karamvir Singh.

Nanak Hotels, which operates a UK property portfolio, plans to invest in the property's refurbishment and repositioning, according to a statement from Colliers International UK, which brokered the transaction.

Keep ReadingShow less
Priya Nair becomes first woman CEO in Hindustan Unilever's history

Priya Nair (Photo: Unilever)

Priya Nair becomes first woman CEO in Hindustan Unilever's history

PRIYA NAIR has been appointed as the CEO and managing director of Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), effective from August 1. She will be the first woman to lead the company in its history.

The announcement was made by HUL on Thursday (10). Nair, who currently serves as president, Beauty & Wellbeing at Unilever, will take over the role from Rohit Jawa, who will step down on July 31 to pursue other interests.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK business district
The Canary Wharf business district including global financial institutions in London.
Getty Images

Economy shrinks again in May, hitting Labour’s growth plans

THE UK economy contracted unexpectedly in May, marking the second consecutive monthly decline, according to official data released on Friday. The figures present a challenge for the Labour government as it attempts to revive economic growth.

Gross domestic product fell by 0.1 per cent in May, following a 0.3 per cent contraction in April, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less
SBI UK cuts mortgage rates

The bank's commitment to green lending reflects focus on sustainability (Photo: Getty Images)

SBI UK cuts mortgage rates

BANKING major State Bank of India (UK) has cut interest rates on its buy-to-let mortgage products to help landlords reduce borrowing costs.

The bank said the rate cuts would help landlords invest in rental properties and meet growing demand for rental homes across the UK.

Keep ReadingShow less