Third runway at Heathrow may be built above the M25
The third runway at Heathrow airport could be built as a “ramp” over the M25 motorway, the transport secretary Chris Grayling told reporters on Wednesday.
Following concerns raised again in the wake of the government's decision on Tuesday to plump for another runway Heathrow, Grayling told BBC radio that the eight metre ramp would span the London orbital motorway at it widest point and be “a very gentle hill up which the planes would take off”.
He argued this would be “cheaper and quicker” than building a tunnel for the M25 under the new runway and would cause less disruption for drivers during construction.
“We’ve been very clear not just to [Heathrow] but to the other promoters of the schemes is that what they do has to be affordable for passengers as well. It’s not simply about landing extra costs on the shoulders of passengers,” Mr Grayling told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
He also tried to ease safety and security concerns over having a sensitive infrastructure just metres in the air over a busy road by confirming the proposal was “sensible”, as well as citing that many other airports around the world had built runways over motorways.
The government’s victory in the battle for a third runway has been opposed by cabinet ministers Boris Johnson and Justine Greening as well as triggered the resignation of Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith.
The decision could also be challenged in court, with Richmond council leader Lord True one of several parties said to be taking legal advice.
The conservative peer said Heathrow was “bursting air quality legal limits” and was responsible for “40% of all noise pollution in Europe associated with airports”.
"The fact that the government has already delayed action for a year results from our reminding them that they hadn't yet fulfilled things which they're required to do under the existing law," he added.
A final decision will be taken on the runway after MPs vote in 2017-18, following public consultation, meaning it is not expected to be in operation before 2025.