Heathrow expansion plan approved

speedbird591 · Post by **speedbird591** » 08 Dec 2006, 18:39

The government have endorsed the plan to expand Heathrow by building another runway, another terminal and allowing mixed mode operations (take-offs and landings on the same runway).

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... _1,00.html

The plan involves demolishing 700 homes (including 8 Grade II listed buildings) and a church and 25% of Harmondsworth conservation area, opening another flight path across London and increasing aircraft movements by about 650 flights a day.

BAA hopes it will be open by 2017. Oh, really?

Lovely quote from the chairman of the opposition group: It will be the mother of all battles. It will be the Newbury bypass of the skies

I know we need it, but does anybody really think it's going to happen in the UK in the 21st century?

Ian

AndyMinx · Post by **AndyMinx** » 08 Dec 2006, 18:47

To be honest I can't see this happening for a loooong time, the people affected are going to kick up soo much!

I mean I can't really say I blame them, its easy to support such a thing when you don't have to be the one moving out of your home.

Im not sure whether I support this one or not. :think:

Cheers,

TobyV · Post by **TobyV** » 08 Dec 2006, 19:12

To be honest, much as I like aviation, its unsustainable at its present rate, let alone further growth. If anything , I think the solution would be smaller expansion at other London airports, for example a second runway at LGW, improvements at Luton and possibly the development of other airports around London such as Biggin to take some of the domestic and european routes away from LHR.

Post by **Garry Russell** » 08 Dec 2006, 20:05

Why not go back to using Northolt for the smaller types?

Garry

TobyV · Post by **TobyV** » 08 Dec 2006, 20:33

I think a singificant increase in traffic out of there would be unwise for three reasons:

ATC - difficult to coordinate traffic between LHR and a more utilised Northolt

Location - less easy to get to and possibly again, too close to LHR

Location (again!) - flight paths would probably route more traffic over residential areas during takeoff/climbout and landing phases

speedbird591 · Post by **speedbird591** » 08 Dec 2006, 20:56

It's all about connections. Nobody would choose to connect between airports. They are already choosing not to connect between terminals, which is why passengers are now flying through Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Paris and missing out the UK altogether. LHR has slipped to third or fourth place in Europe and BA to second (or third?) airline because they can't offer a single terminal short/long haul connection. Until T5 anyway (another 500 days).

For point to point passengers LHR offers the best range of flights, the best location and the best transport links in the UK. None of the other airport options come close to the Heathrow package so any expansion has to be there. They had a good try with Airwick Gatport but it's still a pale shadow.

Ian

Nigel H-J · Post by **Nigel H-J** » 09 Dec 2006, 13:22

One sure fire way to delay this project would be to call for a public inquiry..........not only that, but holding one will cost us a fortune in taxes!! :sad:

TobyV · Post by **TobyV** » 09 Dec 2006, 18:52

I'm sure that will happen. I cant honestly believe that BAA, or the Spanish who run the show now, will be allowed to demolish Harmondsworth etc carte blanche :huf: