Heathrow flies into the future

Heathrow has revealed its masterplan for the future this week, with the launch of its largest consultation on expansion.

This is the latest milestone in delivering this critical national infrastructure project, and includes details of tough new measures to reduce emissions revealed, as well as the airport’s preferred plans for noise respite and proposed ban on scheduled night flights.

As Heathrow’s most innovative and largest consultation to date, the public consultation follows Heathrow’s Airspace and Future Operations Consultation held earlier this year, and will inform the airport’s Development Consent Order (DCO) application, which is expected to be submitted next year.

Running until 13th September, the consultation gives the public the opportunity to feedback on the proposals such as the environmental impacts of expansion, including a proposed Heathrow Ultra Low Emissions Zone, Heathrow Vehicle Access Charge and a proposed 6.5-hour ban on scheduled night flights.

The Airport Expansion Consultation also reveals plans for the airport’s growth in phases – from runway opening in approximately 2026, to the end masterplan in approximately 2050. This incremental growth will mirror the forecasted growth in passengers and help airport charges remain close to 2016 levels, delivering more affordable fares for passengers.

The expansion plan will see rivers and roads diverted, and a section of the M25 rerouted through a tunnel under the new runway. With such huge development on the cards, plans for a compensation scheme have been proposed, for people whose houses will have to be demolished to make way for the expansion – in all, some 761 homes are expected have to be demolished, including the entire village of Longford.

Further to the new runway, extensive work to terminals 2 and 5 is planned, as well as the consolidation of all existing car parks into one single site to the south of the airport, with another car park planned for the north of the site at a later date.

Total private investment in the airport over the next two decades is forecast to be in the region of £30Bn.

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Emma Gilthorpe, Heathrow’s Executive Director for Expansion, urges local people to participate in the consultation, saying: “Expansion must not come at any cost. That is why we have been working with partners at the airport, in local communities and in Government to ensure our plans show how we can grow sustainably and responsibly – with environmental considerations at the heart of expansion.”

“This consultation is an opportunity for people to have their say on our preferred masterplan, so it’s really important that as many people as possible take part. We look forward to hearing your views.”

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