Yes, such as a new runway and terminal perhaps.
Absolutely. Subject to provision of these at a cost which makes sense. As I said. Unfortunately, in the case of LHR R3 the proposed cost does not make sense. Just ask Willie Walsh.
What these areas need is jobs and industry. You will attract that from abroad if the access is there. Being able to get to these places easily form China, India and the USA will bring the investment.
That is exactly what these areas need. And
direct investment there is the answer. No Chinese or Indian business investor is going to say: "Yes! Now I can reach Middlesbrough changing planes at Heathrow instead of Amsterdam! Time to establish a new factory in NE England!!!" We need to keep the alleged benefits of LHR expansion in perspective here. But make fundamental infrastructure improvements to Middlesbrough directly and the place will have a fighting-chance to compete.
or slogging over the M62.
Good point. The inadequacy of our Transpennine motorways is a major cause for concern. There isn't one to Sheffield at all. 40 years overdue and counting. These are exactly the sort of new road initiatives which should be publicly-funded ahead of £5Bn to £20Bn of surface access upgrades in the area immediately surrounding Heathrow. That is how you really bring new jobs and industry to the North. And benefit the whole of UKplc in the process.
This is why the whole Northern Powerhouse idea is being based on upgrading the transport links. Build that and investment will come.
Agreed, but it is all just a concept at the moment. No large-scale (£1Bn+) infrastructure innovations have been funded so far aside from the 'Smart Motorways' initiative which is more a mechanism for avoiding much-needed road building expenditure. However, Mr Osborne does appear generally committed to the NP initiative, so we will see what follows in due course.
Because they would have access to many more flights from LHR? more than any airport in the north will ever have including Manchester.
Of course LHR offers more flights than MAN. No change there. LHR offers more flights than most other airports in Europe. But that does not render the contribution of regional airports irrelevant. Long-haul flights from airports such as MAN, BHX, NCL, GLA and EDI are of immense significance to their respective catchment areas. The benefits of these should not be dismissed lightly. Long-haul services direct from the regions should be encouraged and nurtured.