Latest Heathrow consultation launched

See related: Here’s what Richmond residents think of the Heathrow expansion

Proposals for a third runway at the international airport have been in the making since 2012.

On January 17, the airport unveiled a number of new proposals such as tunnelling the M25, the location of expanding terminal facilities and three options for the length of the new runway varying between 3,200 metres and 3,500 metres.

The three runway options

The third runway was due to cost £16.8 billion, but Heathrow claims it could cut that figure by £2.5 billion.

According to one option, the M25 could be lowered by seven metres to create a tunnel between junction 14 and 15, with the runway over it.

Heathrow claims its target is to operate “zero carbon airport infrastructure” by 2050, but Twickenham MP Sir Vince Cable told the Commons on Wednesday that the damage to air quality from expanding Heathrow was a matter of “human health and mortality”.

He said: “Heathrow is a far more damaging option than the alternatives: it is more polluting, it is noisier and it is the most expensive.”

No flight plans have been included in the first stage of the two-part consultation, which relates to physical changes on the ground, and many believe an informed decision cannot be made until they are put forward.

The second stage will deal with airspace.

What are Heathrow’s arguments for the expansion?

• Heathrow says its runways are operating at 98 per cent capacity and that airlines have not been able to grow as a result

• It argues Britain is losing out to European competitors in the “global race” for foreign investment and trade

• Heathrow claims the new runway will add up to £211 billion in economic growth while creating 180,000 jobs

• It says passengers and UK businesses will have access to up to 40 new long-haul destinations along with new domestic routes

• Heathrow intends to make improvements to its rail connections and claims this could increase the number of passengers using public transport to get to the airport by 60 per cent

But the proposed runway has been met with condemnation from councils, residents, and environmental campaigners.

What issues do people have with the proposed expansion?

• The airport has allocated a compulsory purchase zone, which involves 750, to the surrounding area

• Heathrow promises to pay 25 per cent more than the market rate, but homes have already lost value due to the proposed expansion

• Noise and air pollution from the construction are major concerns

• The build will be on greenbelt land

• The cost of the expansion

• Some believe Gatwick would be a better choice and would cost significantly less at £7.4 billion

Although Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said the airport was “determined to reduce its environmental impacts” by cutting emissions and bringing in “cleaner, quieter” aircrafts, people are not convinced.

Rob Barnstone, coordinator of Stop Heathrow Expansion, said the proposal to build on greenbelt land was “deeply disappointing and worrying for our local environment”.

He added: “There is a great irony in pledging to have no additional cars using an expanded airport compared with now, then wanting to build a huge new car park on green belt land site. The pledge is now simply laughable.”

Four councils, Richmond, Wandsworth, Hillingdon, and Windsor and Maidenhead, have been campaigning against the expansion since it was proposed.

Richmond Council leader Paul Hodgins said the new consultation is “similar to what they’ve put out before” and doubts the claims in it that passengers using public transport would “increase by 60 per cent”.

Heathrow has said because of planned transport improvement there will be no increase in traffic to the airport.

He said: “I don’t believe those claims.

“Richmond and Twickenham are very close to Heathrow but the transport links are terrible.

“Residents would still be driving to the airport.”

He added “massive rail investment” would have to be made to avoid an increase in car traffic.

The council leader believes Gatwick, which would cost significantly less, is a much better option.

Cllr Hodgins said: “This is an emotional argument in favour of a hub airport for London on the international stage.

“Heathrow is ‘trophy’ airport.

“From the Government’s own calculations Gatwick is the best economic option.

“We need more homes. We need massive investment across London and not just concentred at Heathrow.”

Emma Gilthorpe, Heathrow’s executive director of expansion, said: “When the government announced its support for Heathrow expansion it made a clear commitment to keeping Britain open for business.

“We want an expanded Heathrow to be the world’s best airport, ensuring that our country and its future generations have the infrastructure they need to thrive.

“We need feedback to help deliver this opportunity responsibly and to create a long-term legacy both at a local and national level. Heathrow is consulting to ensure that we deliver benefits for our passengers, businesses across the country but also, importantly, for those neighbours closest to us.”

The consultation is open for 10 weeks from January 17 to March 28, to have your say go here.

If the scheme is approved, Heathrow will submit a planning application after consulting local communities on detailed proposals.

The airport hopes to begin construction in early 2021, with the runway completed by the end of 2025.

Time scale of proposed expansion

2012: Independent Airports Commission set up by Government

2013: Heathrow submits Long-term Hub Capacity Response to Airports Commission

2014: Airports Commission publishes interim report outlining three options

2014: Heathrow submits ‘Taking Britain Further’ Technical Submission to Airports Commission

2015: Heathrow submits ‘Consultation Response’ to Airports Commission

2015: The Airports Commission unanimously recommends Heathrow

2016: Government endorses Airports Commission and backs Heathrow third runway

2017: Government consultations on draft Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS)

2018: Heathrow launches Expansion Consultation (this consultation)