Quote: “In my mind this could be a three stage solution as outlined below.
Stage 1, Open Northolt asap for limited regional flights a percentage of which must be transferred from LHR. Provide a fast coach link with connections to mainline/underground. This would be a temporary situation for a short period whilst......
Stage 2, A third runway is built North West of LHR with a life span of say 20 years.
Stage 3, Build Isle of Grain International to be completed before the expiry of stage 2.”
Re. stage 1: NHT is not big enough to be an LHR overspill. It could be a successful small local airport like LCY and SEN, but that’s it.
Re. stage 2: with the expense involved, it needs to last longer than just 20 years, else it’s not a good business proposition (and it has to be in the current environment of airports and airlines in the private sector), and we still need 2 more rwys.
Re. stage 3: again this is not a good business proposition. LHR is not closing (the huge investment in it by the owners makes this patently obvious), and that makes any Silver-Boris-Vanity-Project site is unviable.
Quote: “Try catching a train from LHR to Edinburgh. Not very easy, huh?”
That’s why transport infrastrucure needs to offer choice: road rail and air.