I wonder whether that sets a precedent which we may see repeated with R3?
Why would it? Are you trying to suggest we should not build anything else because that particular promise may have been broken? Do you believe that regardless of whether those connections were built or not it remains a piece of infrastructure that is beneficial to the whole of the UK?
I haven't discussed rail services to Manchester Airport with you,
I apologise, It was the MAN enthusiasts I had this debate with.
but it does appear to have through-train services with no changes to most major population centres across the North of England.
As long as you live on that line or in the cities connected. Most people would require another train to, say, Leeds first and doing that with baggage is a real pain believe me, I had to do it too many times. A shuttle down to LHR with already checked baggage would be much more preferable.
What I did point out is that you appear to be fine with non-SE residents having to change trains on international journeys, yet appear to suggest that it is unacceptable for SE residents to be expected to change planes at a downroute hub airport when necessary. Your disapproval is very selective.
I don't understand this, where have I said the SE residents should not transfer downroute and how exactly would an expanded LHR change this? My argument for LHR is, if anything, in favour of passengers transferring albeit at LHR with the income that brings.
Moving to the long-term forecasts, you tell us that even half of those quoted financial benefits would be great. Do you similarly accept that a loss of 37000 regional flights per annum by 2030 rising to 80500 by 2050 would still be disastrous? Those figures are of course half the 74000 / 161000 forecast.
The beneficial figures given have been obtained from various sources and come from research undertaken by HAL themselves but also many regional businesses and councils.
HAL has published many facts about this on their website and it is no secret thay have been out and about choosing sites around the UK to help with construction.
https://www.heathrowexpansion.com/uk...opportunities/
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/busi...north-11642367
https://transportforthenorth.com/sup...ogistics-hubs/
I was asking for more info on the lost flight figures quoted as I cannot find anything to back this up and even the head of LBA seems to think it is a load of rubbish. The only way LBA can lose that many flights is if Jet2 suffer badly from LHR and I cannot see either how that would happen or why LBA would still be supportive of LHR if that were the case.