Hopes for greater transport links between Reading and one of the town’s closest airports are growing as its expansion is set to be decided later this year.
Gatwick is the second closest airport to Reading after Heathrow, which is the busiest airport in the country.
Heathrow Airport is 27 miles away from Reading, and has a pedigree for long-haul flights to destinations including the USA, Hong Kong, Cape Town in South Africa and Perth in Australia.
Meanwhile, Gatwick Airport is 40 miles away and is more popular with budget airlines providing shorter-distance flights to Europe and the Mediterranean.
There are discussions about both airports undergoing expansions to provide more flights.
Gatwick is approximately one hour and 30 minutes away from Reading by car.
The route typically involves using the M4, the M25 and the M23 motorway that leads to the airport.
Drivers can also use the A329 and A322 through Bracknell, leading onto the M3 and M25.
People can also use the North Downs rail line, which takes one and 35 minutes to get from Reading to Gatwick.
Reading Borough Council supports the enhancement of train services to and from Gatwick in its transport strategy 2040.
The strategy states: “We will support improvements on the North Downs rail line between Reading and Gatwick through schemes such as bi-mode trains and electrification of the line to give faster, more frequent journeys to the airport.
“We will continue to lobby for access enhancements, including improved rail access to Heathrow and Gatwick, and work with the rail industry and train operating companies to provide improved services to and from Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.”
At Gatwick, the expansion of the airport would involve repositioning its northern runway by 12 metres north to allow dual runway operations, in accordance with international safety standards.
Heidi Alexander, the secretary of state for transport and Labour MP for Swindon South issued a letter stating that she is ‘minded to approve’ the runway plans.
However, further information has been requested, which bosses at Gatwick must submit on April 24.
To allow for these submissions and further consultations, a final decision has been delayed until October.
Supporting the Gatwick runway project, the Civil Aviation Authority said: “Gatwick’s airline and passenger base is significantly different from that using Heathrow and we remain of the view that there are likely to be benefits to consumers in expanding capacity in Gatwick, including in relation to meeting the demands of passengers in the choice of destinations, enhanced competitive pressure on airlines and the greater resilience of airport infrastructure.”
