Heathrow third runway plan gets mixed reactions

Heathrow has unveiled its final plan for a third runway - to mixed reactions.

Heathrow Airport Ltd chief executive Colin Matthews revealed on Tuesday that a final route for the proposed £15.6 billion 3km runway is now prepared - between Sipson and Colnbrook. 

It has been designed not to disrupt the M25/M4 junction. But a new section of M25 would be tunnelled between junctions 14 and 15 and the A4 Colnbrook bypass moved 200 yards to the north.

The expansion would create 100,000 new jobs.

Mike Walker, chairman of Maidenhead District Chamber of Commerce said the Heathrow plan was good news for the town. He said: "Maidenhead is far enough away not to be hampered by the worst effects but close enough for the town to benefit massively.

"If the expansion is handled well we would support and welcome it."

But Windsor District Chamber of Commerce chairman Phil McMichael, said: "We are trying to get Heathrow to come and talk to us so we can get all sides. 

"We support the concept of businesses growing but want to make sure it is not at the expense of residents or businesses in the town."

Cllr George Bathurst (Con, Castle Without), is chairman of the Royal Borough's Aviation Forum. He said: "Heathrow still does not have a thought through proposal. They are already talking about congestion charges  to control the extra traffic this plan would produce.

"The infrastructure around Windsor and Maidenhead is not suited. It will clog up all our villages. Wraysbury, Windsor, Slough will all be blighted."

Cllr Malcolm Beer (Independent, Old Windsor) is also a fierce opponent of the expansion.

He said "They are talking about 100,000 jobs but where in hell are these people going to live? How are they going to travel round the area with gridlock on our roads all day long. It is totally ridiculous."

Heathrow's proposal is one of three plans for airport expansion that will be considered by the Davies Commission - one is based at Gatwick.