New Mayor Could Unlock Major Transport Projects

New rail links and a long‑requested third Thames bridge could go ahead if the region gets its own elected mayor.

The Labour government is creating new combined authorities to drive growth. The Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority would cover Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Swindon and be led by an elected mayor similar to those in London and Manchester. The government put the Thames Valley on its programme for a mayoral strategic authority on October 28.

Three big projects are being eyed.

Western Rail Link to Heathrow

The Western Rail Link to Heathrow is a four-mile connection, including a tunnel, to link the Great Western Main Line directly to the airport.

It would stop passengers having to go into London Paddington and then back out to Heathrow. MPs have backed the scheme and a mayor could prioritise region-wide funding and lobby for government investment.

But the case is not as strong as it once was: people in Reading and east Berkshire can use the Rail Air coach from Reading station (about 40 minutes) or change on the Elizabeth Line at Hayes and Harlington to reach all Heathrow terminals in just under an hour.

Third Thames Bridge

Reading Borough Council has pushed for a third Thames bridge between Thames Valley Park in Earley and the junction with Henley Road and Caversham Park Road. That would stop drivers routing through the town to use Reading Bridge or Caversham Bridge.

The proposal is controversial and largely opposed by Liberal Democrats in Oxfordshire. A mayor could make an executive decision to press ahead, but the combined authoritys council leaders could still veto it.

East West Rail

Supporters hope a Thames Valley mayor would help finish the Oxford-Cambridge rail link. Most of the work in Oxfordshire is done: trains have run between Oxford and Bicester since 2016, and works between Oxford and Milton Keynes were completed in June 2025 with hopes of passenger services soon.

The remaining section between Milton Keynes and Cambridge sits outside the Thames Valley, but a mayor would be involved in negotiations. At present, journeys between Oxford and Cambridge require going via London with two changes and take about two hours 40 minutes.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter