A train project which would provide a direct link between Reading and Heathrow Airport has been put on hold indefinitely.

For more than 10 years, there has been discussion about providing a western rail link for trains to get to Heathrow, the busiest airport in the UK, which recorded 456,600 aircraft movements last year.

Currently, those travelling to Heathrow by train have to go to London Paddington and catch the Heathrow Express.

A western link would allow train services from Reading and Slough to get to Heathrow using a tunnel, removing the need to go east into London.

The project began in 2012, with Network Rail developing plans for a 6.5 km rail link from the Great Western Railway mainline to Heathrow.

However, the project was put on hold in December 2020, and a pre-application process was withdrawn earlier this year on May 22, according to an announcement on the government's planning inspectorate website.

READ MORE: Years to wait as Western Rail link to Heathrow is delayed

MPs of all parties support the project, with Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, the Labour MP for Slough leading a group of MPs advocating for it.

Despite a raft of major projects being cancelled by the Labour government, there are still hopes that the project could become a reality.

Mr Dhesi said: "I have long been a supporter of a Western Rail Link to Heathrow, to benefit not only Slough and the Thames Valley region, but to bring 20 per cent of our country’s population within one rail interchange of its busiest airport.

"Since the Conservative government promised to build it over a decade ago (to be finished by 2020), this nationally significant infrastructure project has been beset by delays and funding challenges, yet receives wide cross-party and local support from businesses and residents.

"I have been proud to establish and chair the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Western Rail Link to Heathrow, working to ensure that this rail link remains on the Government’s agenda, and I look forward to continuing this work with many more MPs by reconstituting the APPG in this new parliament.

"With a new Labour government, I know it is steadfast in its commitment to economic growth, and enhancing our infrastructure and rail connectivity, alongside tackling the climate crisis.

"So I look forward to future discussions on how we can improve all transport services for my Slough constituents."

Mr Dhesi held a debate in parliament on the western rail link on Tuesday, April 30.

Voices of support for the project were given by James Sunderland, the former Conservative MP for Bracknell, who was the vice chairman of the group, and Adam Afriyie, the former Conservative MP for Windsor.

Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, announced the cancellation and review of government projects on Monday, July 29, with the treasury stating that the Conservative government had made £22 billion of 'unfunded pledges'.

Cancelled projects included the A27 Arundel bypass and the Stonehenge tunnel, with the new hospital programme affecting Frimley Park and the Royal Berkshire Hospital being put in review.