BDC Magazine - Online version December 2015 Issue - 216 | Page 121

Transport News.qxp_feature 2 21/10/2015 12:22 Page 119

Gatwick accuses
Heathrow of facing
£6bn third runway
funding shortfall
over surfacing work

H

eathrow is facing a “funding black

“As we approach a decision on expansion, Heathrow

hole”, with the airport and the govern-

owes taxpayers, passengers, airlines and government an

ment unwilling to provide the £6bn

explanation of how they plan to meet it, as this cost increase

required for surface works on its pro-

alone is almost the entire cost of the Gatwick scheme.”

posed third runway, Gatwick Airport’s

chief executive has said.

Heathrow has hit back at Mr Wingate’s claims, with a
spokesman for the airport saying the “Minister has simply

Gatwick CEO Stewart Wingate said the planned surface

restated what is already government policy.” According to

works, which include the tunnelling of the M25 and a new

Heathrow, it would only require £1bn for the road and rail

rail line to connect Heathrow with Victoria, would cost

upgrades and this could still be covered by the government.

Heathrow £6bn and challenged the airport to explain how it
would fund the work.

Government policy states that “the general position for
existing airports is that developers should pay the costs of

Mr Wingate claimed that Heathrow and the government

upgrading or enhancing road, rail or other transport net-

have both shown they were unwilling to foot the bill. His

works”. However, where the scheme has a “wider range of

comments came after transport minister Robert Goodwill

beneficiaries”, the government “will consider the need for

said in parliament yesterday that the government would not

additional public funding on a case-by-case basis”.

cover the costs for rail and road improvements to go alongside the third runway expansion.
Mr Goodwill said: “In terms of surface access proposals,

Heathrow believes some of its surface work projects
would provide a wider range of benefits and as a result could
be eligible for government support.

the government has been clear that it expects the scheme pro-

In July, the Airports Commission recommended

moter to meet the costs of any surface access proposals that

Heathrow ahead of Gatwick as the preferred location for air-

are required as a direct result of airport expansion and from

port expansion in London.

which they will directly benefit.”

The decision was met with opposition from some politicians

Mr Wingate said this highlighted the government’s

as well as Gatwick Airport, which has questioned Sir Howard

resistance to financing the project. “There is now a £6bn

Davies’ recommendation on the grounds of air pollution and

black hole at the heart of Heathrow’s plan,” he said.

“complexities in construction” not being fully considered.

“Heathrow has said it won’t meet the bill and now the government has done the same.

Heathrow began the tendering process for the preparatory
work on the runway this week.