Mr Windsorian, they most certainly are part of the main runway as aircraft line up well before what are called "piano keys" rather than zebra crossings. The displacement is for landing.
What 400m taxiways? How in the name of God does a new taxiway upset the neighbours. The most noticeable property on the 09L side is Waterside, the home of BA. Anyhoo, typically British is to spend your time whining and trying to find a billion reasons NOT to do something. Still keeps those who ballses it up at school in some overpaid job I suppose.
Been travelling a lot recently, other countries tend to laugh at our navel gazing NIMBY-ism.
Incidentally, LHR has had full length parallel taxiways since Pontius was a cadet.
Last edited by Skipness One Echo; 22nd March 2013 at 10:52.