The proposed multimillion pound rail extension to link the south of England with Heathrow has come under renewed criticism from both residents and Twickenham and Richmond MPs.

Twickenham’s Vincent Cable and Richmond Park’s Susan Kramer met Network Rail and South West Trains managers to discuss the implications of the proposed Airtrack link between the airport and Waterloo.

The Civil Aviation Authority-funded proposals are intended to develop transport links alongside airport expansion and are already controversial as they were meant to be part of the Terminal 5 expansion package but have yet to materialise.

Dr Cable fears commuter services could be sacrificed to make way for fast airport trains while Susan Kramer is worried level crossings in Barnes, Mortlake and North Sheen could remain closed for long periods of time blocking roads.

Richmond Heathrow Campaign’s Peter Willen backed the MPs’ stances and felt more need to be done to ensure commuter traffic was not displaced and proper funding, which would not affect the public purse, would need to be secured.

Dr Cable said: “Many residents would be delighted at the idea of a fast train from Richmond or Twickenham to the airport.

“If this can be done without detriment to commuter services I would be very supportive.

“But we have been warned by the rail managers that track utilisation is already close to capacity and there is a real danger that the new commuter trains we need to reduce overcrowding and improve services could be put at risk.”

Susan Kramer believes level crossings are already down a significant proportion of time and that this could increase to 45 minutes in every hour during peak times.

She said: “This could create real transport problems effectively cutting off many residents and creating significant congestion problems."