Heathrow confirms it is not seriously considering new 4 runway airport at Haddenham (or White Waltham)
Date added: 21 May, 2013
In early May there was speculation that Heathrow was considering various options for its submission to the Airports Commission. One of these – that had been seen as outline proposals by Aviation Week – was for a 4 runway airport at Haddenham (which is east of Oxford). Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd has now confirmed that this option is no longer being considered. Local MPs and residents had been furious to learn of the plans. Colin Matthews, CEO of Heathrow, wrote to local MP John Howell and said “I can confirm that we will not be proposing plans for a new airport as part of our submission”. The MP said “this should come as welcome relief to Thame and to the surrounding villages as far south as Henley who would be affected by noise from take-offs and landings.” Heathrow is thought to be keen on the option of moving the runways to the west, and even having a total of four.
.
What a relief! Plans to build four runway international airport in Haddenham in 2030 officially scrapped
Photo: British Airways PLC
20.5.2013 (Bucks Herald)Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd has now revealed the proposal, one of 10 being considered to tackle predictions that London airports will be full by 2030, is no longer being considered.
The controversial plans were blasted by Thame MP John Howell and Aylesbury MP David Lidington while local residents also reacted angrily.
Chief executive officer Colin Matthews wrote to Mr Howell: “We believe maintaining a strong hub airport in the UK is of vital importance to our economy, jobs, investment and trade.
“In order to provide the Airports Commission with a full and credible response as they work on this important issue, last year we asked consultants to consider all options for an expanded hub airport in the South East.
“The story that appeared in Aviation Week [which sparked fears an airport in Haddenham could be built] recently contained early drafts of these concepts developed by our consultants. We do not endorse the designs and I can confirm that we will not be proposing plans for a new airport as part of our submission to the Airports Commission in July.”
The plans would have resulted in neighbouring villages Chearsley and Long Crendon being practically destroyed but Mr Howell said he was delighted to see the proposal dropped.
“I am glad that Heathrow has confirmed that Haddenham is not a serious proposition,” he said.
“The letter confirms that the airport is interested in a strong hub airportwhich presumably means it is interested in expanding at Heathrow. This should come as welcome relief to Thame and to the surrounding villages as far south as Henley who would be affected by noise from take-offs and landings.”
http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/business/what-a-relief-plans-to-build-four-runway-international-airport-in-haddenham-in-2030-officially-scrapped-1-5108622
.
An AirportWatch member comments:
It appears that Heathrow favours the 4 runways to the west option.
I can’t see the demolition of Stanwell Moor, Poyle and Colnbrook going down too well with its residents and I wonder how much putting a tunnel over the M25 would cost as well.
At least the options are at last being narrowed down.
However, the resulting loss of water reservoir capacity due to the Heathrow West proposal does not appear to fit in well with the
Thames Water Draft Water Resources Management Plan, which is currently out to
consultation.
.
Earlier
Heathrow considering a range of runway options including long & short 3rd runway, and 4 runway airport at Haddenham or White Waltham
May 3, 2013
”Aviation Week” has reported that Heathrow is considering at least 10 expansion options which are being whittled down. These “Heathrow 2025: Masterplan Options & Indicative Layouts” documents – seen by Aviation Week – were produced by the Mott MacDonald consultancy. Four of the options are a short 3rd runway north of the airport, at Sipson – or a long 3rd runway there. Another two options are for a 4 runway airport (each the same design) either at Haddenham or at White Waltham. Haddenham is about 15 miles east of Oxford, and building a vast airport there, in countryside, would mean the virtual removal of two villages, Chearsley and Long Crendon. White Waltham is a small general aviation airfield about 15 miles west of Heathrow and close to Maidenhead. The 4 runway airport design could potentially handle 140 million passengers and 800,000 air traffic movements a year, (compared to some 70 million passengers and around 480,000 movements now) – so that is just under twice Heathrow’s capacity today. The current designs are early drafts developed last year, and Heathrow will be “making its considered submission to the Airports Commission in July.”
Click here to view full story…
includes diagrams showing runway options, copied below …….
.
The Thames Water Draft Water Resources Management Plan consultation is at
http://www.thameswater.co.uk/haveyoursay/16875.htm
The Thames Water public consultation started on 1st May and continues till 23 July 2013.
Thames Water says they are only consulting on Part A (Overview) of the draft Water Resources Management Plan. You can read the technical report (Part B) and technical appendices (Part C) here:
.
Posted: Tuesday, May 21st, 2013. Filed in General News, News about Airports, Recent News.
