Residents fuming over depot proposals

Airport operator BAA wants to restore the former industrial area to a train depot for its planned Airtrack scheme, which would improve rail connections to Heathrow.

The firm has promised to 'minimise' the noise affecting neighbouring residents, who it claims would benefit from better transport links and up to 60 jobs being created.

However, residents remained sceptical when the Chronicle visited the site last Friday, with the majority calling for the 'precious' area to be saved.

Full-time mum Sharon Hammadi, 47, of Hounslow Road, told the Chronicle: "The greenery is lovely there and it's noisy enough without them building a train depot.

"There's very little greenery in the city and people come to see the marshalling yard, so it would be wrong to take that away."

Shop assistant Sean Cox, 17, added: "It would devastate me if they built this because I go there all the time, and have been doing so all my life.

"My friend and I go fishing there and it has a special significance to me. I can't believe they would do that to such a beautiful place.

But technician Pete Coleman, 39, of Highland Park, said: "It wouldn't bother me if they built a train depot. Part of it is derelict and unused so it wouldn't ruin the nicer part or affect the wildlife."

BAA will apply for planning permission for the scheme early next year, under the Transport and Works Act 1992 - which can confer the powers necessary to construct and operate railways in England and Wales.

A public inquiry is expected later in 2009. If approved, construction of the depot could start by the end of 2010 and services be up and running by late 2014.