Harlington's Fate is Sealed

Third Runway only achieves 45% required capacity

Daily Telegraph

By Paul Marston, Transport Correspondent

22/10/2002

Heathrow expansion hits space problem

A new runway at Heathrow would bring only half the capacity gain the
Government expected unless extensive additional space for aircraft
parking was provided, airport planners have discovered.

An analysis of the Department for Transport's proposal for a short
third runway has found that officials severely under-estimated the
problems of aircraft reaching it.

As the new strip would be to the north of the existing northern
runway, aircraft preparing to depart would have to cross the northern
runway.
Planes landing on the new runway would similarly need to manoeuvre
across the existing northern strip.

A confidential technical study of the plan by Heathrow's owners, BAA,
has calculated that about 600 crossings would be required every day.
To ensure safety, this would mean that take-offs and landings on the
present northern runway would have to be reduced.

The analysis concludes that the net capacity increase the third runway
would bring Heathrow would be the equivalent of 13 million passengers
a year, compared with the 27 million assumed in the Government's
consultation paper.

It is estimated that the airport would need extra land, equivalent to
at least 25 football pitches, for further aircraft parking space and
terminal buildings north of the current northern runway.