Heathrow Airport said it is aiming to open a third runway in 2026 as it today opened a 12-week statutory consultation on the controversial expansion project.
This is the latest milestone in delivering the runway that is set to cost £14 billion in the first phase of the privately-funded expansion. The total cost is expected to be in the region of £30 billion.
The Airport Expansion Consultation runs from 18 June until 13 September 2019 and gives the public the opportunity to provide feedback on Heathrow’s proposals for the future layout of the airport, including the new runway and other airport infrastructure such as terminals and road access.
The public will also be able to have their say on plans to manage 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.
In addition, the consultation is seeking feedback on plans to operate the future airport – how the future three runway airport will be operated, including important elements such as night flights, as well as how potential additional flights before the new runway opens could be operated on our existing two runways.
Feedback is also being sought on an assessment of impacts of the airport’s growth. Heathrow’s preliminary assessment of the likely impacts of expansion on the environment and local communities.
And on plans to manage the impacts of expansion as Heathrow will set out the airport’s plans for mitigating the effects of expansion, including property compensation, Noise Insulation Policy, a Community Fund, and plans to mitigate against environmental effects including new measures to reduce congestion and emissions and a ban on scheduled flights at night.
The plans revealed in this consultation incorporate the extensive feedback gathered from the airport’s first public consultation on expansion, which took place from January to March 2018, and the Airspace and Future Operations Consultation held from January to March 2019, as well as from continuous engagement with local communities, local authorities, airlines, environmental stakeholders and other interested parties.
Responses to this consultation will inform Heathrow’s application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) – the planning consent required for the project – which is expected to be submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport next year.
Heathrow’s executive director for expansion, Emma Gilthorpe said: “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.”
More details of the plans and consultation can be found here.
