The UK government has officially approved a major expansion plan for Heathrow Airport, a £49 billion project that will significantly alter the route of the M25 motorway. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed the decision, acknowledging the substantial impact the development will have on Britain's busiest orbital road.
The Winning Plan and Its Rivals
Heathrow Airport's own proposal for a longer, 3,500-metre third runway has been selected, seeing off competition from other bidders, including a rival scheme from billionaire hotel tycoon Surinder Arora. The successful Heathrow plan comes with a price tag almost double that of Mr Arora's alternative, which featured a shorter runway that would not have affected the M25.
The approved scheme involves an ambitious engineering feat: the new runway will intersect the M25 between junctions 14 and 15. To facilitate this, a new stretch of the motorway will be constructed approximately 130 metres to the west and will pass directly underneath the runway.
Operational Details and Economic Impact
Heathrow expects the new runway to become operational from 2035. Once complete, it will be capable of handling both long and short-haul aircraft, enabling the airport to accommodate an additional 276,000 flights every year.
In a written statement to Parliament, Ms Alexander stated that while the proposal would have a considerable impact on the motorway and require the compulsory purchase of more homes around the airport, it was a necessary step. She emphasised that the decision allows the government to approve a third runway plan within this Parliament that meets key tests on the environment and economic growth.
Reactions and Next Steps
A Heathrow spokesperson welcomed the government's confirmation, stating that the expansion will deliver more connectivity, increased trade, an improved passenger experience, and a huge economic boost for British businesses involved in its construction. However, the spokesperson called for further clarity from the government and the Civil Aviation Authority on the regulation of the project's next phase, requesting definitive decisions by mid-December.
Meanwhile, Mr Arora said his group accepts the announcement and still hopes to be chosen as the promoter of the third runway, arguing that competition is absolutely imperative to keep costs under control.
The government aims to make a final decision on Heathrow's planning application before the next general election. The proposals will be subject to further consultation as part of an overhaul of the Airports National Policy Statement. Ms Alexander has also pledged to consult the independent Climate Change Committee to ensure the expansion aligns with the UK's carbon emission reduction targets.
