Holidaymakers and those going away for business trips who don't have a car can still get to Heathrow from Slough and other towns in Berkshire, despite the lack of a direct train to the airport.

For more than a decade, there have been dreams of a project to create a western rail link to Heathrow, which is the busiest airport in the UK.

This link would be created in an underground tunnel that would go underneath the existing Great Western Railway line to arrive at Terminal 5 of the airport.

It would have eliminated the need for passengers to go into London Paddington to catch the Heathrow Express train, which costs £25 for a single and £38.50 for a return ticket.

But earlier this year, it was revealed that the project has been put on hold, with a document to the government's planning inspectorate stating further work on it has been withdrawn.

However, it is still possible to get to the airport by public transport, which is handy for people who don't drive or have a vehicle which falls afoul of the London ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ), which expanded to cover Heathrow in August last year.

People getting to Heathrow by train can use the Elizabeth Line to get to Hayes & Harlington station, then change to get onto a train heading to Heathrow.

A TfL Elizabeth Line train at Reading train station.A TfL Elizabeth Line train at Reading train station.

The airport has two Elizabeth Line stations, one for terminals 2&3, and another for Terminal 4.

Although the journey is not direct, it eliminates the need to go into London Paddington and get the Heathrow Express.

Those closer to the airport can also use Reading Buses Flightline services which run between Bracknell and Heathrow via Slough, Windsor, Colnbrook & Poyle.

The Reading Buses Flightline 703 bus that runs to and from Heathrow Airport.The Reading Buses Flightline 703 bus that runs to and from Heathrow Airport. (Image: Reading Buses)

The National Express also runs coaches from Mereoak park and ride at Three Mile Cross, Bracknell, Windsor and Slough.

From Reading, the RailAir bus runs between Reading train station and Cemetery Junction in East Reading to the airport.

Upgraded seats on the RailAir coaches. Credit: RailAirUpgraded seats on the RailAir coaches. Credit: RailAir

Despite the withdrawal of the western rail link project, a cross-party group of MPs are still hopeful that it could be restarted.

The group was founded and led by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, the Labour MP for Slough.

Mr Dhesi said: "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."

The pre-application process to the government for the western rail link project was withdrawn on May 22 this year.