M25 could be upgraded under Heathrow expansion plans

Plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport could see a new section of the M25 tunnelled and upgraded alongside the existing section, increasing capacity without disrupting road users.

Heathrow has announced an improved plan to expand the UK’s hub airport that will create more than 100,000 new UK jobs and at least £100 billion of UK economic benefits by connecting all of the UK to global growth.

The figures are part of Heathrow’s revised expansion plans that have been submitted to the Airports Commission. The submission follows discussions with local residents and businesses, the public, businesses around the country, passengers, airlines and elected representatives across the UK’s nations and regions. Heathrow is the UK’s only hub and the only option that will connect the whole of the UK to new emerging economies, bringing jobs and prosperity to the country.

After listening to local views and developing a different expansion proposition to 2007, Heathrow has made improvements to its initial proposal in July 2013. These include:

• By 2030, at least a 30% reduction in the number of people in Heathrow’s noise footprint to deliver the lowest noise levels since the 1970s



• Located farther south, the updated runway proposal affects 200 fewer homes, preserves historical buildings in Harmondsworth and maintains the existing M25/M4 junction



• New section of M25 to be tunnelled and upgraded alongside the existing section, increasing capacity and reducing congestion without disrupting road users



• 12,000 fewer people will be affected by significant noise by moving the proposed runway farther south



• A total compensation fund of over £550m allocated for noise insulation and property compensation. This is more generous than previously proposed for a third runway and proposals for most other infrastructure projects. (Proposed residential property compensation includes: 25% above market value for properties subject to compulsory purchase; stamp-duty costs on a new home; legal fees paid)



• Improvements in schools, publicly accessible green space and flood protection for local communities.