WWRA Aviation Expert, Mike Sullivan’s update on the latest Government Consultation on building a third runway at Heathrow Airport with a cheat sheet and, guidance on how to respond.

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You have approximately another four weeks to do so – more details at foot of article

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Newsflash 25 May 2017

Click here to read the “WWRA response to the latest DfT Consultation on a Third Runway at Heathrow”

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I do not know how many of you were able to get to the consultation meeting organised by the DFT Friday 3rd of March. You were advised of it in a leaflet that most of us got through our letterboxes in recent weeks and which was prepared by the DFT. This leaflet expressed the Government`s view of why it feels the need for a third runway at Heathrow and invited residents to express their views.

You have approximately another four weeks to do so – more details at foot of article

The main reasons given for choosing a third runway at Heathrow was that the two current runways at Heathrow are full and that a dominant hub operation is a key benefit to the UK economy. It is further stated that this can be achieved without the major adverse environmental impact that many of us fear.

The advisors present were not able to provide data related to the current operation at Heathrow regarding seat occupancy levels, the number of passengers whose journey originated in London or the UK and the number of other passengers who were in transit or transferring whose journey had originated from countries outside the UK.

Vague reassurances were given regarding the potential impact on the environment in terms of air pollution and aircraft noise but nothing that could be considered substantive. |In order to protect areas to the east of Heathrow from the disturbance caused by the additional aircraft movements the new runway will be positioned further west of the current runways. The aircraft approaching the new runway can, therefore, be expected to be 200 to 300 feet lower than those approaching the current runways in the vicinity of Windsor. Also the new runway will be situated with the minimum allowed separation from the current north runway so in this area the flight path will be just north of the Thames. That means that we will be situated between two flight paths.

When the third runway is fully operational the capacity at Heathrow is expected to increase from the present 480000 aircraft movements to 740000.

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Mike’s Cheat sheet on key flaws to mention when responding to the consultation

Here are 9 issues to consider when responding to the consultation.

1. When the Fifth Terminal was approved we were advised that there would be no need for a third runway. We are now being advised that if the third runway is provided there will be no need for a fourth runway.
2. We were once advised that air pollution would meet appropriate standards by 2010. Seven years later we still fail completely to meet EU Standards for air pollution. When the final decision is made regarding the third runway we will be entirely relying on estimates of the impact that proposed measures will have rather than specific measurements of actual improvements.
3. We are advised that the level of noise disturbance will be improved. However, when the government commissioned a report on the impact that aircraft noise had it concluded that the number of aircraft was more important than had previously been thought. This is an important consideration when the number of aircraft movements plan for Heathrow is an expansion from 480000 movements per annum to 740000. Peers of the compilers of that report then criticised the methods of compiling the report and the report has since received little attention.

   

    

4. We understand there has been a more recent study of the impact of aircraft noise but that only covered 3000 people throughout the country and most of the airports. At the DFT consultation we were told that too indicated the increased importance of the number of aircraft in assessing the level of disturbance. How that new report will be utilised in assessing the impact of a third runway is unclear. For now we continue to use a noise measurement system that is little changed from that used in the 1980s. We believe there should be a thorough review of this subject specifically related to Heathrow.
5. Much of the optimism relating to improvements in both noise and air pollution relates to an anticipated reduction is the amount of road traffic around Heathrow is spite of a 50pc increase in its operation. |This is to be achieved through a major increase in the use of public transport. You can make up your own minds how likely that is.
6. We have also been advised that there will be more periods of relief from aircraft using a given runway for takoffs or landings when we have three runways. In fact there will be fewer. With two runways we can have approximately eight hours of relief. With three this will ultimately be reduced to about five hours. Also the ability to make an early turn when taking off from the middle runway will be considerably reduced so we can expect more takeoffs to pass overhead Windsor.
7. Part of the works needed to accommodate the third runway will require the provision of a tunnel for the M25 to the North west of the airport. The extent of the disruption this will cause has received little attention. Also, the Hammersmith Flyover remains in need of continual monitoring because of its ageing status. It is the main feed for road transport into London. An increase in its utilisation could have a significant impact on how long it will be before major works are required and the impact of such disruptions can be expected to be very significant.
8. In order to accommodate a third runway many houses will have to be destroyed. At the same time much is made of the increased employment opportunities that will come from expanding Heathrow. However little consideration has been given to the increased housing need that the extra employment will incur. Some of the local councils will be unable to accommodate any increase, Slough for example. We already know of the current problems in providing the housing already perceived as necessary. Hence the proposal to develop land to the west of Ruddlesway. How will we cope with a further increase? The same applies to the added infrastructure needs.
9. It should be understood that failure to provide a third runway at Heathrow will not cause it to close. There is no reason it would not operate at a similar level to its current operation but it might mean that it has to operate more efficiently. Genuine competition between Heathrow and Gatwick, each with two runways, would seem to the best way forward if the UK ecomomy is to benefit as much as possible

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You have until 25 May 2017 to respond to the governments latest consultation

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How to respond to the consultation

You have until 25 May 2017 to respond to the governments latest consultation; perhaps they hope if they keep asking the question that they will get the response that they want?!

You can respond in one of three ways;

1. Online at https://runwayconsultation.dialoguebydesign.com
2. Freehand, by email to RunwayConsultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk
3. Freehand, by post to “Freepost RUNWAY CONSULTATION” or,
4. By downloading and completing the forms below and, emailing or posting them to RunwayConsultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk or “Freepost RUNWAY CONSULTATION” respectively; Click here to download a copy of the form

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Remember, you must respond by 25 May 2017

 

Click here to read “WWRA response to the latest DfT Consultation on a Third Runway at Heathrow“

 

Produced by Mike Sullivan, edited by Wisdom Da Costa