Transport for London (TfL) and the Mayor of London have warned that Heathrow’s proposed expansion framework could generate 60,000 additional airport-related highway trips every day unless stronger rail and sustainable-access requirements are included.
Written evidence submitted to Parliament’s Transport Committee says Heathrow’s existing surface-access provision would be inadequate for a 79% increase in passenger throughput. TfL estimates that the approach set out in the draft Heathrow Expansion National Policy Statement could result in about 22 million additional highway trips each year.
The draft framework proposes a 55% sustainable-mode target for passengers. However, the submission says it contains no equivalent targets for airport staff or freight, which TfL argues leaves a significant part of the airport’s transport demand outside the proposed requirement.
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TfL and the Mayor are calling for new southern and western rail links to be treated as essential enabling infrastructure for expansion. Their evidence argues that the links should not be deferred until Heathrow reaches 130 million passengers a year.
The submission also says funded improvements to the Elizabeth line could provide at least two additional Heathrow trains per hour, subject to the necessary approvals. It adds that Elizabeth line services could potentially be extended to Staines as part of wider new rail connections.
The evidence was submitted as Parliament scrutinises the draft policy framework. The 55% target and the expansion proposals remain part of that draft framework; the submission is an argument for stronger surface-access conditions rather than a change to current airport policy.
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Sources
Written evidence submitted by the Mayor of London and Transport for London (HEN0067)
