Slough council petitions against HS2 plan to move Heathrow Express depot

Slough council is opposing government plans to build a depot for Heathrow Express trains in Langley.

The High Speed 2 (HS2) project includes a bill which proposes moving the depot from Old Oak Common in London to an area north east of Langley.

Slough Borough Council has now submitted a petition against the bill citing concerns over air quality, loss of land for housing and road access.

HS2 said the petition would be considered by a select committee.

It will be considered as part of the hybrid bill parliamentary process.

The council, which voted to oppose the bill in July, also says it could affect plans to build a western rail link to Heathrow.

Councillor Sohail Munawar, commissioner for social and economic inclusion, said: "We're not against the HS2 scheme itself, but we don't think Langley is the right place for the depot.

"HS2 has not provided enough evidence to justify moving it there and we've had no details about why other potential locations were rejected."

An HS2 spokesman said it had held several local consultations and information events, which demonstrated its "commitment" to positive engagement with communities.

"It is an important part of the process that all parties who feel they may be affected by the construction and operation of the railway are able to petition," he said.