Heathrow 3rd Runway

[Lord Tyrion]

I don't live in the south so genuinely have no idea about the ups and downs of this decision. However, from this point now they are estimating it will be 7 years before it is ready 7 years!!!!!!

Costs: "the runway would cost £18bn to build and a further £15bn would have to be spent to upgrade local roads and other infrastructure, which passengers would end up footing the bill for" Based on past experience you can add somewhere between 25-50% to those figures.

Why the heck does building in this country cost so much and take so long?

Anyone live nearby and able to give a locals view?

 

[USER1999]

Daft idea. One of the busiest airports, with the busiest airspace, the busiest road network, and then expand the airport to make matters worse.

I guess no one ever wants to fly to Stanstead though.

 

[Taz]

2nd runway @ Gatwick would have made more sense

 

[Patster1969]

2nd runway @ Gatwick would have made more sense

Agree with that - doesn't Gatwick have a bit more space round it (or Stanstead, Manchester, etc)? Another runway at Heathrow will be a disaster for people round there

 

[Deleted member 18645]

I live fairly close but have no sympathy at all with the nimbys who seem to spend their whole lives protesting about it. Heathrow has been a major airport for over 50 years so outside of the really occasional case, they have all chosen to move to that area and live near the flight path.
SO STOP BLOODY PROTESTING ABOUT IT THEN!!!

 

[Deleted member 1418]

Heathrow was in desperate need of the 3rd runway - it's the busiest and best of the London airports.

People also forget that it's not just an important passenger hub but also a UK border inspection post dealing with a significant amount of goods being imported and exported. Therefore equally vital for trade.

So a decision that makes sense economically. Just a shame taken so long to make.

Personally would like to see capacity at other UK airports also expanded.

 

[IanM]

How much of the seven years is spent "getting approval?"

 

[Bunkermagnet]

I would put another at Heathrow and Gatwick. Think ahead I say.
For those that complain about it, I say think of the jobs and revenue it will create.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

How much of the seven years is spent "getting approval?"

No idea. Good question though. If anyone knows please post.

 

[MikeB]

With HS2 going to Birmingham wouldn't that make more sense as a location, loads of space & great road/rail links?

 

[Deleted member 18645]

How about extending Lydd Airport? I mean, they could build over that sihthole they call a golf course nearby!

 

[Dando]

How about extending Lydd Airport? I mean, they could build over that sihthole they call a golf course nearby!

And then extend it out over Margate!

 

[backwoodsman]

Why the heck does building in this country cost so much and take so long?

Anyone live nearby and able to give a locals view?

Well, although i live on opposite side of London, l guess l count as more local than the OP.

I'll avoid commenting on the yea's & nae's of doing it - but to answer the questions of why so long and why so much, you really only need to look at a map of where they are doing it. Then consider everything they need to rip out, and all the utilities & services they need to move & divert before they even start building the new stuff. Don't really know how wide the new site will be (lets say half a mile), but it's going to be best part of 2 1/2 miles long. Thats quite a big hole to rip out of west London. And a small matter of building it over the M25

(Have to say l think the idea that most folk who are protesting have moved there is a bit off the mark. It affects an enormous area - and for the majority of people, thats where they are from. And yes it's been an airport for 50 years but the local (and inded wider) community has generally had b*gger all say about it getting bigger & busier over the years. I say neither way as to whether they are right to protest, but certainly they have a right to protest)

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Thanks backwoodsman. I have flown into Heathrow in order to connect and fly out but I have no idea about the geography around it. Seven years just seems a crazy amount of time.

 

[backwoodsman]

Thanks backwoodsman. I have flown into Heathrow in order to connect and fly out but I have no idea about the geography around it. Seven years just seems a crazy amount of time.

To be honest, on big infrastructure projects, i have no idea how one even contemplates planning or programming it - but i know they take ages. One big project - the Thames Tideway Tunnel (commonly called London's "super sewer") - affects in a small way a site i manage. We've been working with them on just that small section for about 4 1/2 years now - and they've only just started digging. Another 2 years before they finish & give the site back. And thats only a fraction of the main project.

 

[ArnoldArmChewer]

No idea. Good question though. If anyone knows please post.

I suspect the actual construction programme will only be 2-3 years, things like compulsory purchases etc will take quite a while. Lets hope there isn't a great crested newt in the locality !!

 

[hors limite]

I understand the economic arguments about the importance of Heathrow as the gateway to the UK and as an international hub. However, there are still lots of charter flights ( I have been trying to find out the percentage with no luck). If there is a shortage of overall capacity, why can't the charter stuff be relocated to Gatwick,Luton and Stansted? It doesn't need to operate out of Heathrow.

 

[Deleted member 18645]

And when the nimbys around Heathrow start moaning as usual, the ones if Gatwick start celebrating. And vice versa. One of the main protesters in the Gatwick area was found to have only moved into the area five years ago and is well known for complaining about anything and everything in his life.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Good news for Scotland according to the First Minister.:thup:

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Good news for Scotland according to the First Minister.:thup:

It doesn't really make a huge difference I suspect. Heathrow is a hub airport for Scotland, same as for us in the NE. It is not like 30yrs ago though when options were limited. We have early morning flights to Heathrow, Amsterdam and Paris and an afternoon one to Dubai. From anyone of those 4 we can travel anywhere in the world. Heathrow or Schipol, my own favourite airport, makes no difference to me and I suspect the same set up exists at Glasgow and Edinburgh.

If they had expanded at Gatwick then Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow would soon have early morning flights connecting to there as well. The days of only flying via BA are long gone.