BERKSHIRE business leaders have been in talks with Network Rail and Heathrow officials over plans for a western rail link to the airport.

The Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Slough Borough Council were told at the meeting that Network Rail will begin a study of the proposal by the end of the year, which will be used to form a detailed business case for the project.

Ruth Bagley, chief executive of Slough Borough Council, and Western Rail Access to Heathrow lead on the LEP, said: "Our main priority now is to get the project delivered as quickly as possible, and we were pleased to be able to discuss this with Network Rail.

"Businesses in the Thames Valley want better connections to Heathrow so the region can compete with Europe and further afield, and for this reason timely delivery is important. The Thames Valley must work to retain the businesses it has, as well as attract new investment."

It follows a Government announcement in July that funding will be provided for a new rail line from the Great Western Main Line to Heathrow - subject to a business case and agreements with the aviation industry.