Heathrow Expansion Should Avoid Moving M25, Says BA Boss
Traffic could be redirected through a tunnel if Heathrow Airport’s expansion plans receive approval.
BA’s Perspective on Heathrow Expansion
Sean Doyle, chief executive of British Airways, supports expanding Heathrow without relocating the M25 motorway if possible. He stated he "can’t argue against the logic" of building a third runway while keeping the motorway intact.
“If you can avoid moving the M25, you should avoid moving the M25. I can’t argue against the logic of that. I think we should look at ways of potentially building a shorter runway.”
Government Proposals for Heathrow
- One plan from Heathrow Airport Holdings suggests rerouting the M25 between Junctions 14 and 15 through an underground tunnel to accommodate a 3,500-metre full-length runway.
- The Arora Group proposes a 2,800-metre runway that would not require moving the motorway.
Heathrow Management’s Position
Thomas Woldbye, Heathrow’s CEO, emphasized that moving the M25 is “not avoidable” for a third runway that sufficiently increases capacity.
“A shorter runway would cost almost the same but deliver much less capacity. It just does not make sense.”
Summary
Heathrow’s expansion plans are divided between building a longer runway that involves relocating the M25 or a shorter runway that keeps the motorway but offers less capacity, with British Airways favoring avoiding motorway relocation.
Author’s Conclusion
The debate over Heathrow’s expansion highlights the challenge of balancing infrastructure impacts with the airport’s capacity needs.
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