A map of the proposed third runway at Heathrow reveals how expanding the west London airport will impact its surrounding areas.
The controversial project has been debated for more than a decade and chancellor Rachel Reeves has now given it her backing – despite opposition from environmental campaigners and prominent figures within her own party, including Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
Outlining the Government’s position on the matter, she said: “As our only hub airport, Heathrow is in a unique position, and we cannot duck the decision any longer.
“I have always been clear that a third runway at Heathrow would unlock further growth, boost investment, increase exports, and make the UK more open and more connected.”
The third runway plans received parliamentary approval back in June 2018 and the airport now needs to apply for a Development Consent Order in order for the project to go ahead.
A map, created for a 2019 public consultation, shows how the airport could be laid out post-expansion.
The third runway, labelled as ‘1’, would sit north-west of Heathrow’s current infrastructure, towards Colnbrook and Harmondsworth.
The land it would occupy isn’t entirely barren at the moment. Part of the M25 crosses the proposed site and, if the expansion goes ahead, this could be rerouted through a new tunnel. Several waterways would also need to be diverted.
Heathrow is currently one of the world’s busiest two-runway airports, with planes taking off or landing up to every 45 seconds.
Its current maximum number of flights per year is around 475,000. A third runway could see the number reach around 740,000.
Sir Sadiq has said he remains opposed to the expansion “because of the severe impact it will have on noise, air pollution and meeting our climate-change targets”.
He has vowed: “I will scrutinise carefully any new proposals that now come forward from Heathrow, including the impact it will have on people living in the area and the huge knock-on effects for our transport infrastructure.”
