TfL hits back defending their estimate of £15 bn for Heathrow surface access, that Grayling said was “ludicrous”
Date added: 1 December, 2016
Chris Grayling criticised Transport for London’s (TfL) predicted costs for improving road and rail links for the Heathrow expansion. Giving evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee on Heathrow’s 3rd runway, the transport secretary said he considered it “ludicrous” that TfL (who are the experts on transport in London) calculate the necessary work as about £15 billion. He said it looked to him as if “somebody has taken every possible transport improvement in the whole of metropolitan London and thrown it into the mix.” While the Airports Commission estimated that surface infrastructure changes would cost £5bn, TfL estimated the costs of keeping transport flowing – even with a 50% larger Heathrow – to be around £15m-£20m. Heathrow said it would pay for just £1.1 billion. TfF have responded saying. “Expansion at Heathrow will significantly increase demand for access to the airport. Our expert analysis indicates approximately £15bn more investment will be needed beyond what is already committed and the key component of this is a new southern rail link from Waterloo to Heathrow. Thus far, the government have given no commitments to deliver this new rail link, despite the Airport’s Commissions recommendation to do so and, without such a commitment, the aspirations for no increase in road traffic are not credible.” . Tweet
Transport for London hits back at Chris Grayling’s dismissal of Heathrow costs
By Rebecca Smith (City AM)
1.12.2016
Transport for London (TfL) has hit back at the transport secretary, after he branded its cost estimates for rail and road improvements around Heathrow expansion “ludicrous”.
The Airports Commission had estimated that surface infrastructure changes would cost £5bn, but TfL responded by saying the figure underestimated the cost and required changes would cost in the realms of £15m-£20m.
A TfL spokesperson reiterated the prediction after Chris Grayling said he did not see where the £15bn could have come from.
“Expansion at Heathrow will significantly increase demand for access to the airport,” they said.
“Our expert analysis indicates approximately £15bn more investment will be needed beyond what is already committed and the key component of this is a new southern rail link from Waterloo to Heathrow.
“Thus far, the government has given no commitments to deliver this new rail link, despite the Airport’s Commissions recommendation to do so and, without such a commitment, the aspirations for no increase in road traffic are not credible.”
Transport for London analysis of Heathrow expansion surface access costsGrayling made the comments yesterday while giving evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee on Heathrow’s third runway.
On TfL’s cost estimate for surface infrastructure changes, the transport secretary said it looked to him as if “somebody has taken every possible transport improvement in the whole of metropolitan London and thrown it into the mix, and probably funding a large chunk of Crossrail 2 out of it as well”.
[Chris Grayling is keen that Heathrow’s landing charges do not rise, to deter demand. He considers all the necessary transport work will be done anyway, so Heathrow’s impact will be minimal. AW note]
Chris Grayling calls TfL’s Heathrow expansion cost estimates “ludicrous”
By Rebecca Smith (City AM)
Chris Grayling has called Transport for London’s (TfL) predicted costs for improving road and rail links for the Heathrow expansion “ludicrous”.
Giving evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee on Heathrow’s third runway, the transport secretary discussed warnings from TfL that making such improvements could cost up to £20bn.
The Airports Commission had estimated that surface infrastructure changes would cost £5bn, but TfL responded by saying the figure underestimated the cost and required changes would cost in the realms of £15m-£20m.
“I think it’s ludicrous to be honest,” Grayling said. “I do not see where £15bn can come from if you look at what we’re actually seeking to deliver around Heathrow Airport.”
He said it looked to him as if “somebody has taken every possible transport improvement in the whole of metropolitan London and thrown it into the mix, and probably funding a large chunk of Crossrail 2 out of it as well”.
He noted that changes to the M4 were happening already as part of the government’s ongoing road improvement process, while M25 changes will be funded by Heathrow Airport itself and rail improvements partly funded by the airport and partly the government as “these are long planned projects which would happen regardless of the airport expansion”.
Listing Crossrail’s opening in the next couple of years, HS2 providing better connectivity and TfL’s plans for the Piccadilly line to boost capacity, Grayling said these amounted to “a huge step forward” with the wheels in motion already.
“I’m baffled as to where TfL manages to get a £15bn figure from because I don’t know what you’d spend the money on”.
Grayling also said he felt Heathrow would plump for the runway ramp option for crossing the M25 rather than building a tunnel as it would be “operationally easier as well as less expensive”.
Transport Secretary ‘baffled’ by TfL’s Heathrow expansion cost estimate
1.12.2016 (BBC) Image captionA decision on whether to expand Heathrow or Gatwick later this month
The transport secretary has said he is “baffled” by warnings from Transport for London (TfL) that improving road and rail links to an expanded Heathrow Airport could cost up to £20bn.
Chris Grayling was giving evidence to House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee where he dismissed the accuracy of TfL’s estimate.
Last month the government backed building a third runway at Heathrow.
The Airports Commission estimated transport improvements would be £5bn.
But TfL responded to the commission’s recommendations in October 2015 by insisting that figure “underestimates the actual cost by £10 to £15bn”.
Mr Grayling said: “It’s ludicrous, to be honest. I do not see where £15bn can come from if you look at what we’re actually seeking to deliver around Heathrow Airport.
“It feels to me like somebody has taken every possible transport improvement in the whole of metropolitan London and thrown it into the mix, and probably funding a large chunk of Crossrail 2 out of it as well.
“I’m baffled as to where TfL manages to get a £15bn figure from because I don’t know what you’d spend the money on.”
‘Quantum step forward’
The transport secretary said the cost of the runway crossing the M25 will be met “directly by the airport” while plans for rail links such as HS2, Crossrail and an improved London Underground Piccadilly line were already happening.
Heathrow would make a “financial contribution” towards further proposals to create rail links between the airport and the lines to Reading and Waterloo, Mr Grayling said. [How much unspecified].
Image copyrightTFL
The transport secretary added: “It will be a quantum step forward in public transport access to Heathrow.
“It will become by far the best connected airport in the country if you look at the different rail and Underground access it will have.
“I’m very satisfied that there is a very bold, comprehensive plan to deliver all that and I understand how it’s going to be funded.”
A TfL spokesman responded to the transport secretary’s comments saying Heathrow expansion would “significantly increase demand for access to the airport”.
He added: “Our expert analysis indicates approximately £15bn more investment will be needed beyond what is already committed and the key component of this is a new southern rail link from Waterloo to Heathrow.
“Thus far, the government have given no commitments to deliver this new rail link, despite the Airport’s Commissions recommendation to do so and, without such a commitment, the aspirations for no increase in road traffic are not credible.”
A TfL spokesperson said: “Expansion at Heathrow will significantly increase demand for access to the airport. Our expert analysis indicates approximately £15bn more investment will be needed beyond what is already committed and the key component of this is a new southern rail link from Waterloo to Heathrow. Thus far, the government have given no commitments to deliver this new rail link, despite the Airport’s Commissions recommendation to do so and, without such a commitment, the aspirations for no increase in road traffic are not credible.”
Image copyrightTFL