Heathrow Airport has revealed plans to build a new stretch of the M25 motorway in order to accommodate its new runway.
It aims to deliver a brand new tunnel and bridges for the M25 while keeping motorists on the move during construction of a third runway.
The new section will be built ‘offline’ on land 130 metres to the west of today’s motorway, keeping construction separate from daily commuters, a statement from Heathrow explained.
It added: ‘Traffic will then be switched from the old route to the new using carefully planned overnight closures.
‘Once the new tunnel is complete motorists will benefit from a wider and safer stretch of motorway.’
The works will be 100 per cent privately financed by Heathrow.
It will include new link roads separating the passing M25 traffic from those leaving and joining the M4, ensuring there are no weaving movements and offering safer journeys.
Heathrow has revealed its plans in a video.
Heathrow Airport has revealed plans to build a new stretch of the M25 motorway in order to accommodate its new runway
The new section will be built ‘offline’ on land 130 metres to the west of today’s motorway, keeping construction separate from daily commuters, a statement from Heathrow explained
In the footage, it says: ‘It’s one of Europe’s busiest, most complex stretches of road. Every day, nearly a quarter of a million journeys converge here. This creates a level of demand that tests the network to its limits every day.
‘So how do we build a new runway directly over this vital national artery?’
It goes on to say: ‘We build the future right next to the present.’ This refers to the new ‘offline’ section being built to keep construction separate from daily drivers.
Since expanding Heathrow proposals were submitted to the Government, the M25 has been one of the most common questions – among many other controversial debates.
Heathrow has a plan that will upgrade a key part of the UK’s road network, which has been shaped over years of engagement with National Highways.
Any design that avoids the M25, some airlines have indicated, would result in a runway too short to accommodate all long-haul flights. Building over the M4 would require the demolition of thousands more homes and expose more residents to noise once operational.
Heathrow’s Surface Access Director, Sophie Chapman, said: ‘Heathrow expansion is a once in a generation opportunity to upgrade our connectivity in the air and on the ground.
‘One of the legacies of our plan will be a 100 per cent privately financed upgrade to one of the busiest stretches of the M25.
Heathrow has revealed its new plans in advance of the new runway
‘We have a tested plan for building next to the current motorway that will keep motorists on the move during construction.
‘We have already looked at the alternatives and they simply create more impacts for less benefits so we’re confident we have the best plan available.’
Heathrow submitted its proposals to Government this summer setting out how its vision for expanding the UK’s Gateway to Growth is the only plan on the table ready to deliver the economic growth the country needs.
Heathrow will continue to work closely with National Highways to finalise the details of its plans.
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