The north runway option was first mooted many years ago, in fact runway(s) north of the A4 were being proposed in the late 1940s.
Yes, it was for three rwys: an east-west parallel with the current rwys, a SW-NE rwy, and a SE-NW rwy intersecting eachother and forming a triangle. At the time there were 6 rwys south of the A4, as above, but with 2 rwys in each of the directions.
At that time capacity was less important, so parallel only rwys were not needed, crosswinds were more of an issue than today hence the need for multi-directional rwys that could not all be used simultaneously.
Everyone knew (and knows) that it HAS to be LHR3. We only have to wait for the politicians to catch up.
Equally, no turf will be turned UNTIL the announcement is made.
Indeed. They could make a start now, do it at night, and tell everyone it's a taxiway or M25 diversion.......
Seriously though, the M25 tunnelling (and associated preparatory work) does need to start now, so that they are ready to go after Davis reports in favour and the court cases are over.
it will be at least 5 years in the courts before a single spade is taken up
Lawyers are already leafing through their Bentley brochures as we speak.............
Thought that there some new fast-track process for "infrastructure of national significance" and that legislation was pending for more of the same to thwart the eco-warriors, the "swampy"s and the litigators.
Maybe the Libdems thwarted it(?).