Well, I don't think it will be as bad as might be feared. I say that for a number of reasons:
The T5 fiasco has made it clear that major projects of national importance cannot be allowed to go that way.
I was once told by a member of the DETR's planning team that ministers have realised we are seriously short of runway capacity. In recent media converage the DETR has made it clear that to do nothing is not an option and they cannot allow the issue to drift.
Finally, I think incidents such as the BAW8 09R lander vs the BMA 09R departure have focused the public's mind on the need to do something and when the public see a need for action the politicians are rarely far behind.
Having said that, they may use the threat of another runway at Heathrow to barter for mixed mode, and given that mixed mode will actually lead to an increased loading on each of the runways it will simply make matters worse for us.
Runways are a political issue and so it is certain to be the political choice... STN.
Point 4
