Heathrow unveils proposals for shorter third runway in bid to cut costs by £2.5bn

In what could be one of the UK’s largest public consultations, Heathrow Airport has revealed a draft of proposals which include tunnelling the M25, expanding terminal facilities and shortening a third runway by 300m while cutting £2.5bn off the cost, as part of its expansion plans.

The proposals are part of a 10-week consultation on its expansion plans as airport bosses seek views on options to deliver and operate an expanded airport, alongside principles of new airspace design. Up to 1.5m households will be receiving leaflets through their letterbox requesting they respond to possible changes.

 A major focus of the consultation is the M25, with the proposed runway expected to extend over. Opinions are being sort on whether to lower the M25 by 7m and tunnel it under the runway or to reroute the motorway around the runway's western edge. 

Options for the new runway in the consultation have its length varying from 3,200m to 3,500m with Heathrow now claiming it can complete the project for £14bn, after first predicting £16.8bn. 

As part of airspace design plans, residents are being asked to suggest the optimal hours for the night time flight ban which is set to be extended from five hours to six-and-a-half hours. A separate consultation will involve any recommendations on how to reduce noise, emissions and the number of late-running flights for local communities.

Emma Gilthorpe, Heathrow’s executive director for expansion, said: “We need feedback to help deliver this opportunity responsibly and to create a long-term legacy both at a local and national level. Heathrow is consulting to ensure that we deliver benefits for our passengers, businesses across the country but also, importantly, for those neighbours closest to us.”

But campaigners HACAN have responded by saying proposals for a shorter 3200m runway could leave them open to a legal challenge. John Stewart, chair of the campaign group, said: “The Airport Commission calculations of economic benefits were on the basis of the capacity of a full-length runway. A shorter runway could open a can of worms, and invite a judicial review from Heathrow Hub or even Gatwick. What matters most to local communities is how many planes go over them in a day. They don't want all-day flying. We will be pressing for new flight paths to ensure that every community gets a period of respite from the planes each day."

This year is set to be make or break for Heathrow expansion plans with the Department for Transport reaffirming it is on track to publish final proposals for expansion in the first half of the year for a vote in parliament. If the scheme is approved, Heathrow will submit a planning application after consulting local communities on detailed proposals. The airport hopes to begin construction in early 2021, with the runway completed by the end of 2025.

Responses to the 10-week consultation can be submitted at public events near the west London hub or via a website, email or post. 

People can submit their views on Heathrow’s website by clicking here.